The Province is strengthening anti-hate and anti-racism supports for communities with nine new organizations offering Resilience BC services in B.C.’s northern region. 

“There is no place for racism and hate in British Columbia. To fight racism and hate crimes, we must work together in a co-ordinated way in communities in every corner of the province,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Citizens’ Services and responsible for Multiculturalism. “These community organizations will lead action at a local and regional level to respond to and prevent racist and hate activity.” 

Under the Resilience BC program, 34 organizations were selected to provide services in 40 communities throughout the province following a competitive procurement process.  

In B.C.’s northern region, nine organizations are receiving a total of $75,000 as community and regional service providers for Resilience BC: 

  • Dawson Creek Literacy Society (Dawson Creek and Fort St. John) 
  • Houston Link to Learning Society (Houston) 
  • Immigrant Multicultural Services Society of Prince George (Prince George) 
  • Nechako Healthy Community Alliance (Vanderhoof) 
  • North Coast Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (Prince Rupert) 
  • Saulteau First Nation (Chetwynd) 
  • Skeena Diversity Society (Terrace) 
  • Smithers Social Planning Society (Smithers) 
  • The Tamitik Status of Women Association (Kitimat) 

“We are pleased to have been appointed as a community spoke for B.C.’s northern region,” said Estelle Lavis, director of operations for Saulteau First Nations at Moberly Lake near Chetwynd. “We believe that reducing racism and increasing understanding will create new opportunities for social and economic development across British Columbia. We need to work together at all levels of government, and at the ground level with industry partners and community champions. We are looking forward to expanding networks between people of goodwill, and increasing resources and training to help everyone become free from the kinds of discrimination and intimidation that cause lasting harm to people and rural communities.” 

Resilience BC, launched in November 2019, is a provincewide anti-racism network delivered through a hub-and-spokes model. In May 2020, the Province selected the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society to serve as a provincial hub to connect communities with information, training and resources throughout the province. The spokes are community-based branches that identify local priorities and move projects forward to address systemic and institutionalized racism at a local level. 

Most recently through Resilience BC, the Province launched an online portal to support people who experience or witness a racist incident. The website offers information in 12 languages. Multilingual videos will soon be added to the site: hatecrimesinbc.resiliencebcnetwork.ca.