Additional community and Indigenous groups across British Columbia (B.C) are benefiting from grants that will enhance their engagement in the BC Demographic Survey. In a bid to maximize the outreach and participation, nearly $100,000 in grants has been awarded to 39 further organizations. This surge in financial support increases the total funding to over $183,000, which has been distributed among 74 community and Indigenous groups throughout B.C.
The BC Demographic Survey, a primary tool in combatting systemic racism, stands at the forefront of this effort. Lisa Beare, the Minister of Citizen Services, states these grants are aimed at facilitating community organizations in connecting with their respective communities. This interaction is key in identifying systemic racism within government services, and its consequent eradication.
Equipped with the legislative power of the Anti-Racism Data Act, the government has been granted authorization to gather race-based data in safety, courtesy of the BC Demographic Survey. This data holds great potential in highlighting areas where people are being denied equal access to government services. The ultimate aim is to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of these services.
Ensuring everyone in B.C participates in this survey is vital, as stated by Pulcherie Mboussi, the Executive Director of African Art and Cultural Community Contributor CCC Inc. He believes collective action is the approach to curb racism.
The province’s multifaceted initiative to work in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities aims to disassemble systemic racism, with the BC Demographic Survey playing a pivotal role. Having commenced on June 14, 2023, individuals have until 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) on Oct. 15, 2023, to complete the survey.
Assistance for filling out the survey is available via toll-free at 1 833 376-2452. People can make calls from Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Pacific time) and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Pacific time). Note that telephone assistance would not be available on Sundays or statutory holidays.
It’s been unanimously stressed by various entities, including Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca, and Smith Oduro-Marfo, a member of the Anti-Racism Data Committee, that every citizen regardless of their cultural or racial background, should participate in the BC Demographic Survey. They highlight the survey’s capacity to unearth barriers people encounter when using public services, and to listen and devise service delivery methods that promote fairness and equality.
Previously, the province had announced nearly $88,000 to 35 organizations in the inaugural round of community grants to support the survey. They also divulged their plan for 12 anti-racism research priorities on May 29, 2023. The outcomes from this survey will facilitate the realization of this research.
Interested community organizations are encouraged to apply for the BC Demographic Survey grants at arda.engagement@gov.bc.ca. Individuals who want to contribute to the fight against racism can fill out the BC Demographic Survey at www.antiracism.gov.bc.ca/bcdemographicsurvey. More information about the Anti-Racism Data Act and its other actions can be found at https://antiracism.gov.bc.ca.
