Highlights
In follow-up to the Anti-Racism Data Act, tabled in June 2022, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC), Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations (the Alliance), BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) and Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) were consulted and engaged in 2023-24 to gather thoughts on the new broader anti-racism legislation and explore how government could address systemic racism within its programs and services.
A collection of in-depth what we heard reports was received. A report from the FNLC shared the key conditions and expectations of First Nations in B.C. with respect to the anti-racism legislation. A report from the Alliance included the Modern Treaty Nations’ collective interests in the legislation. MNBC provided a report with extensive recommendations for the Province to implement through legislation, policies, programs and funding. These three reports were shared publicly online at [antiracism.gov.bc.ca/history/what-they-heard-reports/] in March 2024. Including consultation and engagement with FNLC, the Alliance, BCAAFC and MNBC, more than 7,000 people from across B.C. shared their input on the anti-racism legislation in 2023 through a public online questionnaire and over 200 community-led sessions.
The anti-racism legislation was introduced and became law in the Spring 2024 legislative session.
How are we working together?
The policy and engagement teams continue to collaborate with First Nations and Métis partners using a distinctions-based approach to co-develop the anti-racism legislation. Regular co-development and follow-up meetings were hosted from January 2023 to March 2024. Meeting materials such as policy framework, policy backgrounder and drafted legislation documents have been shared prior to the meetings to ensure meaningful participation. The feedback received was incorporated and an echo meeting with each of FNLC, the Alliance, BCAAFC and MNBC was organized to allow for opportunity for review of feedback incorporated. Consultation and co-operation are ongoing for this legislative initiative.
Are there challenges?
To ensure proper application of a distinctions-based approach in the development of the anti-racism legislation, the team worked closely with the Declaration Act Secretariat to confirm alignment with cabinet-endorsed approaches. While the legislation has been co-developed with regular consultations with First Nations and Métis partners, the team engaged and sought feedback from the Declaration Act Secretariat and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres to ensure voices from Indigenous individuals who live far from their home community were also included in the legislation’s development.