B.C. creates anti-racism data committee, releases research priorities
The British Columbia government has released 12 priorities for anti-racism research in its first update since the Anti-Racism Data Act came into effect last June.
The province says the focus will be in areas such as racial diversity within the public service, interactions with the justice system and how health care and education differs for various demographic groups.
The act allows for the safe collection and use of personal information for the purposes of identifying and eliminating systemic racism, and requires the province to release statistics annually while establishing research priorities every two years.
Attorney General Niki Sharma says the priorities for 2023 to 2025 were identified by people of various racialized groups and will provide "a road map for how government can meaningfully improve services" for them.
The province has also released its first-year progress report outlining the work done under the act, including the creation of an 11-person anti-racism data committee appointed last September.
Mable Elmore, the parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, says the province will also develop "broader anti-racism legislation," which is expected to be introduced next year.
"The work we're doing not only outlines a path forward, but it illustrates our commitment to transparency and collaboration every step of the way as we work together to eliminate systemic racism," she told a news conference Monday.
"The next step is to move us beyond identifying barriers and to hold governments accountable."
June Francis, chair of the anti-racism data committee, said she welcomes updated legislation, but hopes the government begins taking action on anti-racism initiatives now.
"I think that there is no reason for all ... governments to not take action. These 12 areas will model, will work hard, will focus, but all governments should be paying attention and starting their own process of anti-racism and decolonization," she said.
"There's no reason to pause. I hope this will model the change, and that this change will trigger and ripple across all of government."
Research priorities identified by the anti-racism data committee include:
1. Racial diversity within the B.C. Public Service;
2. Interactions with the justice system and analysis of complaints model;
3. Health outcomes and understanding of how the system is performing for different demographic groups;
4. Understanding how students across demographic groups access and use education supports and their outcomes;
5. Children, youth and family wellness at home and away from home;
6. Economic inclusion;
7. Homelessness, housing supply and security.
Research priorities identified by Indigenous Peoples:
1. Health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples to understand experiences from an intersectional and holistic perspective;
2. Education outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students from kindergarten to Grade 12 to understand experiences, including their access to and use of available supports;
3. Social determinants of safety from a holistic lens and fill related data gaps;
4. Commitment to advance the collection and use of disaggregated demographic data;
5. Conduct research in a way that acknowledges, respects and upholds the rights of Indigenous groups.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
'$6.66 per day': Advocacy groups disheartened by funding in budget for disability benefit
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.