BC's Office of the Human Rights Commissioner

Our newly released Rights in Focus report is a snapshot of human rights in B.C., highlighting inequities in 10 major issue areas, including housing and the climate crisis. While these issues are familiar to many of us, Rights in Focus offers a human rights-based analysis that centres the marginalized communities most deeply impacted, who are too often left out of the conversation. Our Office intends to replicate this report every three years to track how these issues change over time and highlight opportunities for progress. To read the full report, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gJaUmyqx #RightsInFocus #BCPoli #BritishColumbia #humanrights4bc

Curious about your rights and responsibilities as they relate to housing, employment and services? Join us on Thursday, Oct.10 from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. for a free introductory session on B.C.’s Human Rights Code. Gain insights into how the Code fits in within broader human rights laws, understand terms and identify instances of discrimination. For more information and registration, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gQcew8iz #HumanRights4BC #BCPoli #britishcolumbia

Did you know that B.C.’s Human Rights Code protects against discrimination when accessing services like taxis or restaurants? One story BCOHRC heard was a guide dog user who ordered a taxi to pick her up to go to work. The driver refused service because of the guide dog and drove away, despite this being illegal. This resulted in the guide dog user being late for work. By providing workers with resources and education to understand their legal responsibility to transport visually impaired people and their guide dogs, we can support workers to provide excellent, accessible customer service and ensure they meet the requirements of B.C.’s Human Rights Code. Our Office has new resources to help workers understand their responsibilities, clarify the rights of guide dog users, and address any potential issues. To learn more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gwU4munS #BCPoli #BritishColumbia #HumanRights4BC #GuideDogs #ServiceDogs

Join Russell Wallace, a traditional Lil’wat singer, composer and producer for a night of Salish singing and drumming on Sept. 18 from 6 – 8 p.m. PDT. The “Salish Drumming and Singing Workshop” is open to all, regardless of age, experience, or ability. A limited number of drums will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their own, if possible. Hosted by SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement. For more information please visit: https://lnkd.in/gj_zJ-2R

Join HIM for Queer English Conversation Club on Sept.24 at 7:00 p.m. PDT. This is an in-person conversation night for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals whose first language is not English. Enjoy a safe, non-judgmental environment to practice English conversation skills. It is open to all Queer individuals, regardless of refugee status, visa status, or citizenship. The event provides opportunities to connect with the HIM community, meet new people, and learn about sexual and social health resources. For more information please visit: https://lnkd.in/g44pZW5n

The rights of temporary foreign workers (TFW) must be respected, including the ability to report mistreatment in the workplace. However, workers and advocates shared cases of workers being fired for "disloyalty" after filing WorkSafeBC claims, despite retaliation being illegal. TFWs have the same rights as other B.C. residents, but employer-specific work permits, and other barriers can make it risky for them to assert those rights. La Dignidad Migrante Society (DIGNIDAD) is a non-profit organization led by temporary foreign workers (TFWs) from diverse backgrounds. It focuses on organizing TFWs, particularly agricultural workers, to address issues such as abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and trafficking, while advocating for rights, health, and benefits. The organization provides 37 free services in Canada to support workers and address daily challenges. Thank you to Raul Gatica of @DignidadMigrante for speaking to us about migrant worker rights. We invite you to read our Rights in Focus report to learn more about inequities in employment (p. 36) and other significant issues. https://lnkd.in/gJaUmyqx #RightsInFocus #BCPoli #BritishColumbia #humanrights4bc #Employment

The new Rights in Focus: Lived Realities in B.C. report highlights significant inequities and injustices affecting B.C. and offers a vital tool to understand the current state of human rights in the province. In the report, we explore systems that deeply impact social, economic, and political lives, covering issues like housing, healthcare, education, employment, child welfare, criminal justice, public spaces, the family sphere, and the environmental crisis. The Rights in Focus report sets a baseline to monitor change over time. New reports will be released every three years to reassess key issues, review progress, and identify opportunities for social and legal improvements in human rights. To read the full report, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gJaUmyqx #RightsInFocus #BCPoli #BritishColumbia #humanrights4bc

“Blind and visually impaired people have the right to use the tools they need to navigate the world, whether that be a white cane or a guide dog. While there is legislation making it illegal to interfere with a guide dog team’s access, it is not clear.” — Georgia Pike BCOHRC heard of a guide dog user who was told “no dogs allowed” when trying to enter a restaurant. Even when they tried to explain that this was not a pet, but a guide dog, they were still refused service. By providing resources and education on the rights of guide dog and service dog users, we can support workers fulfil their obligations under B.C.’s Human Rights Code. Brand new resources are available to help restaurant and taxi workers understand their responsibilities, clarify the rights of guide dog users, and address any potential issues. To learn more, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gwU4munS #BCPoli #BritishColumbia #HumanRights4BC #GuideDogs #ServiceDogs

Did you know that service providers are not allowed to refuse service to someone with a disability just because their guide or service dog is not certified under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act or isn’t wearing a vest or visible identifier? Everyone in B.C. has the right to access public services, such as restaurants and cafés, without discrimination. The Human Rights Code requires service providers to accommodate people with disabilities who use guide or service dogs, ensuring they are not discriminated against. After receiving concerns from guide dog users about access to essential services, our Office consulted with restaurant and taxi industry workers. We developed resources to help workers understand their responsibilities, clarify the rights of guide dog users, and address any potential issues. To learn more about this guide please visit: https://lnkd.in/gwU4munS #BCPoli #BritishColumbia #HumanRights4BC #GuideDogs #ServiceDogs

“Who are we without our pain?”, asks the documentary WaaPaKe (Tomorrow). Join the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre for an advanced screening of WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) on Sept.11 from 6 – 10 p.m. PDT. The trauma of residential school Survivors has deeply affected Indigenous families and communities, leading to addiction and broken relationships. To help heal, Dr. Koostachin steps in front of the camera and participate in the circle of truth. WaaPaKe (Tomorrow) invites us to unravel the tangled threads of silence and unite in collective freedom and power. A discussion with Dr. Koostachin will follow the screening. For more information please visit: https://lnkd.in/gkWJbZYW