How are we working together?
The Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch continues to advance Indigenous consultation and collaboration with partners through a distinctions-based approach that supports the co-development of the Anti-Racism Action Plan, as mandated by the Anti-Racism Act. Over the reporting period, the branch gathered draft commitments from across the provincial government for the Indigenous-specific racism stream of the Action Plan. Maintaining openness, transparency and fostering strong relationships with Indigenous partners remain central to this work.
Indigenous partners reviewed the draft actions and provided advice and guidance. The branch engaged in ongoing discussions and written communication with partners to shape the draft Action Plan. At the same time, designated ministries were conducting their own Indigenous consultation and collaboration on their proposed anti-racism commitment for inclusion in the Action Plan. Information on the ministries’ Indigenous partners was shared with the branch’s partners to support alignment and understanding.
The ongoing conversations with partners continue to inform priorities and guide the upcoming phases in the implementation of the Anti-Racism Action Plan.
Next steps include sharing the final Action Plan with partners and continuing co-development of the assessment framework that will support performance measurement and reporting.
Are there challenges?
Engagement with Indigenous partners continues to guide development of the Anti-Racism Action Plan. Advancing this work requires coordination across the provincial government to ensure alignment and clarity throughout the development process. Staffing pressures related to labour action this past fall, along with competing priorities across ministries, have contributed to slower internal processes, and impacted timelines.
Despite these constraints, the branch remains committed to transparent communication and meaningful collaboration with Indigenous partners. Ongoing engagement through meetings and correspondence supports shared understanding and helps ensure that Indigenous partner perspectives are reflected in the plan and its implementation.
The Action Plan is scheduled for public release by June 1, 2026, in accordance with the legislated deadline. Compressed timelines, as well as resource and fiscal pressures, have at times affected the pace of information sharing, feedback collection and engagement with partners during the final stages of development. The branch recognizes the impact of these challenges and continues to provide timely updates where delays occur.
Consistent with a distinctions-based approach, engagement is tailored to the unique perspectives and priorities of each partner. This includes direct dialogue to discuss specific elements of draft actions and their potential impacts, recognizing that these may differ across partners.
Highlights
Over the past year, the branch has conducted Indigenous consultation and co-operation using a distinctions-based approach to support the co-development of the Anti-Racism Action Plan. This work has strengthened relationships with Indigenous partners and enhanced ongoing communication throughout the development process.
The branch has worked with public bodies to identify and advance key actions and initiatives addressing anti-Indigenous racism across the provincial government for inclusion in the plan. The branch has supported alignment across participating ministries by sharing best practices for Indigenous consultation and co-operation, enabling ministry-specific Indigenous engagement to proceed alongside the Ministry of Attorney General’s.
Through ongoing meetings, dialogue and correspondence, Indigenous partners have provided valuable guidance and direction. This input has been shared across ministries to inform and refine proposed actions and ensure that the action plan reflects priorities identified by Indigenous partners. This process has also contributed to building trust and supporting more responsive and informed policy development.
While the work involves multiple partners, evolving requirements and interconnected timelines, progress remains steady. Scheduling pressures are actively managed, and implementation remains on track as cross-ministry collaboration continues.
Previous years’ progress
Highlights
A key highlight has been the invaluable advice and insights provided by Indigenous partners. Partner input has shaped the development of the framework, underscoring the importance of a distinctions-based approach that reflects their unique identities, histories, expectations and challenges. Partners have emphasized the need for clear and specific strategies, actions, targets, and indicators to ensure the action plan effectively addresses Indigenous-specific racism and creates meaningful change in their communities. Partner advice has been central in ensuring that the action plan is being developed to not only comprehensive but also actionable and aligned with their priorities.
Furthermore, Indigenous partners have highlighted the importance of avoiding siloed work by the provincial government and urged for a more collaborative, cross-sector methodology. Partners have made it clear that the current approach must be strengthened to ensure that efforts are not isolated but integrated across ministries, reflecting the interconnectedness of the issues at hand.
Maintaining self-determination, respecting data sovereignty, and addressing gaps in actions by the provincial government are critical to building trust and ensuring the success of an Anti-Racism Act Action Plan. By continuing to consult regularly with Indigenous partners, the Province is ensuring that Indigenous voices remain at the forefront of this work.
How are we working together?
The Province is committed to a distinctions-based approach that supports the unique identities, rights, histories, needs, and challenges of each Indigenous partner. This approach is central to efforts to address Indigenous-specific racism through legislation, the development of an action plan, and its subsequent implementation.
Based on the input received during initial meetings, an overarching framework for the Anti-Racism Act Action Plan has been developed. This includes collaborative steps for its drafting, the definition of standards and indicators and the establishment of an assessment framework. A schedule for upcoming meetings and a roadmap for the discussion topics have been outlined.
Ongoing collaborative meetings will be held, allowing adequate time for the sharing and review of meeting materials. Consultation and co-operation with each Indigenous partner is distinct, and the Province is actively engaging in conversations with each partner to refine meeting materials and frameworks in response to their input. Materials are tailored to the specific needs of partners and, with cultural humility, incorporate their perspectives.
Are there challenges?
The Province remains committed to integrating recommendations from the First Nations Leadership Council, the Alliance of BC Modern Treaty Nations, and Métis Nation BC into detailed indicators and actions within the co-development of an action plan. Resources will be required to do this, and to align the priorities of the Métis Action Plan with those of other Indigenous partners. It is imperative that cross-ministry indicators, strategies, and actions are developed with the level of qualitative and quantitative specificity requested by Indigenous partners.
The Province is working to adapt the recommendations provided to meet the current resource capacity. The Province has also communicated budget limitations to Indigenous partners. Furthermore, the Ministry of the Attorney General is collaborating across the provincial government to learn from and adapt the indicator methodologies already developed in respective action plans.
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.