Anti-racism and cultural redress

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  Key areas of work

  We have eight key areas of focus as we move forward with this work.

  • Access without fear policy implementation 
  • Anti-Black racism response and redress 
  • Anti-racism overall including anti-Indigenous racism
  • Anti-racism policy development
  • Combatting antisemitism in Vancouver 
  • COVID-19 anti-racism incident response
  • Historical discrimination against people of South Asian descent
  • Public partners working group on anti-racism 
    • Punjabi market regeneration

Latest updates

Over the years, we've been working on a number of anti-racism initiatives to create a more equitable Vancouver.

Through both modest and comprehensive action, we are working to tackle racism and white supremacy within the City and Vancouver. This is an urgent priority.

Bookmark this webpage for updates, or receive quarterly updates on anti-racism, cultural redress, and equity actions straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

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  Countering anti-Asian racism

  We are defining our role and response to ongoing and systemic racism and the current rise in racist incidents.  This includes publicly naming and standing against racism and hate, working with partners to do the same, and advocating for changes across all sectors of society, including our own ability to receive and respond to racist incidents. 

  As part of this work, we are hosting focus groups with community leaders and City advisory committees to build on what the community has already told us: 

  • Racist incidents are interpersonal, systemic, and institutional in nature
  • Victims and targets of racist incidents are further targeted and isolated
  • Limited resources to support those targeted
  • Limited understanding about what to do when someone experiences or witnesses a racist incident
  • Limited understanding about who to follow up with
  • Limited recourse for perpetrators and victimizers

  We'll be seeking to work with community in the coming months to identify appropriate responses.

  This work is informed by Mayor and Council Motion: Report Back - Standing Up to the Rise in Anti-Asian Racism, All Racism & Hate Crimes and continues to take shape via engagement with community leaders, community partners, City advisories, and internal teams including the Emergency Operation Centre, and 3-1-1.

  We have also provided funding for the Chinatown BIA for additional security to combat the rise in anti-Asian racism in Chinatown, and we're in frequent contact with community groups in the neighbourhood to offer additional support.

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  Indigenous community

  Colonial audit

  Council directed Indigenous Relations to develop a scope of work for a colonial audit, while continuing to work cross-departmentally to implement the City of Reconciliation Framework

  MMIWG and Red Women Rising reports

  We are developing our response to the calls for justice coming from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the Red Women Rising reports.

  This project was temporarily put on hold due to the COVID-19 response.

  Women Deliver Project

  Staff are partnering with Indigenous community experts to conceptualize, design, and create a multi-use building that prioritizes Indigenous women for housing, and includes childcare and other supports.

  The project team is undertaking a unique decolonizing process to help guide staff in their leadership and decision making. 

  Urban Indigenous response to COVID-19

  Staff are working to support Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council (MVAEC) in identifying and implementing the Urban Indigenous Pandemic Communications and Collaboration Hub, a collaboration between MVAEC, Vancouver Coastal Health, the City, and the First Nations Health Authority.

  Our citywide approach also responds to the directions and recommendations of the Urban Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee.

  Urban Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee (UIPAC) actions

  We welcomed the feedback of the Urban Indigenous Advisory Committee’s open letter in July 2020 on ways to improve the City’s relationship with Indigenous communities in Vancouver.

  We are working closely with UIPAC to identify gaps and opportunities and to develop community trust in our institution. 

  Indigenous healing and wellness

  City Council approved an additional grant to Metro Vancouver Aboriginal Executive Council for 2020 to accelerate their work on an Indigenous-led healing and wellness strategy. City staff are currently in discussions with MVAEC leadership about allocations of the funds which will help the City target support and investments to priorities set by the community.

  Council also approved a capital grant of over $700,000 for an Indigenous healing and wellness space in the Downtown Eastside as part of the 2018 - 2022 Capital Plan.

  More recently, an adjustment to the Capital Plan increased this amount in total to over $3 million, and potential locations have been identified.

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  Historic discrimination and redress efforts

  Advocacy

  In response to the leadership of Vancouverites, City Council and staff will be advocating to the Ministry of Education and discussing with the Vancouver School Board the need for the history of people of African descent in Vancouver, BC and Canada to be included as core curriculum as opposed to optional Black History Month content.

  Curriculum changes are determined by the school board and ministry, but we will continue to push for these changes. 

  ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਮਾਰਕੀਟ (Punjabi Market)

  Staff are liaising with the community on the revitalization of ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਮਾਰਕੀਟ (Punjabi Market), recognizing the impact of historical discrimination on this key cultural and economic district.

  Apology for historical discrimination against residents of Chinese descent

  In April 2018, Vancouver City Council arranged a special meeting in Chinatown where former Mayor Gregor Robertson delivered a formal apology on behalf of the City of Vancouver for past discrimination against residents of Chinese descent.

  The apology acknowledged the wrongdoings of past legislation, regulations, and policies of previous Vancouver City Councils. Actions recommended by the community are being implemented through the Chinatown Transformation initiative.  

  Apology to Japanese Canadians

  Staff are engaged with local Japanese Canadians on their community-led cultural redress initiatives to recognize the history and heritage of Japanese Canadians in the Paueru Gai/historic Powell Street area. 

  In 2013, Council issued a formal apology to the Japanese-Canadian community for discrimination and dispossession during World War II.

  Additionally, in 2014 the Downtown Eastside Plan was approved by Council with policies to support Japanese-Canadians through public realm improvements, public art, events and programming, and strategic development and heritage rehabilitation opportunities.

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  Anti-Black racism redress

  We thank members of the Black and African diaspora communities for their time and labour providing recommendations and analysis to the City to shape this work and move it forward. 

  Review our analysis of community recommendations:

  • Executive summary PDF file 202 KB
  • Detailed summary PDF file 344 KB
  • Healthy City Scholar report External website, opens in new tab

  Hogan’s Alley

  An inter-departmental team continues to work with Hogan’s Alley Society on the establishment of a memorandum of understanding that will include actions intended to support the redress of the displacement of the Black community from North East False Creek and the contributions of the Black community to the vitality of Vancouver.

  Hired Senior Social Planner – Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress

  In November 2020, we hired an Anti-Racism/Cultural Redress Social Planner to lead our Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress work alongside and on behalf of Vancouver residents.

  The social planner will initiate and oversee our anti-racism policy work and seek opportunities to work in partnership with senior government on shared anti-racism initiatives.

  The social planner will provide specific updates on actions we are taking to address anti-racism and cultural redress, and how the actions relate to community recommendations, starting February 2021.

  Hiring a Black and African Diaspora Communities Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress Planner

  We are in the process of finalizing a job posting for a Black and African Diaspora Communities Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress Planner. The Planner will work with the Senior Social Planner – Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress to honour and advance recommendations provided by Black Canadians and people of African descent through resourced actions and initiatives.

  Working with the Black and African diaspora community

  City staff are committed to working with Black and African diaspora community members and organizations to evaluate and respond to the calls to justice and recommendations outlined by the community that are within the mandate of City Administration.

  This will be a key part of the work performed by both the Senior Social Planner – Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress, and Black and African Diaspora Communities Anti-Racism and Cultural Redress Planner. 

  Implementing a number of internal equity initiatives to support Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour City staff

  In September 2020, we hired a Chief Equity Officer to lead our Equity and Diversity Office who reports directly to the City Manager’s Office. The Chief Equity Officer has developed a number of internal equity initiatives to support Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour City staff. Initiatives include:

  • The formation and support for affinity groups
  • Opening safe reporting channels for incidents of racism
  • Culturally appropriate mental health supports
  • Explicit naming of equity competencies in the City’s leadership competencies
  • Quarterly town hall events for all staff on these issues

  Working with UBC School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) students

  We’ve completed a project with UBC SCARP students to review a range of engagements, including the Anti-Black Racism Town Hall, and identify assets and resources to meet Black community member’s visions for future. 

  The students will review and map existing community recommendations and City actions and explore additional community engagements as needed.

  Community grants 

  We are reviewing and assessing our granting processes and practices with an equity perspective to create long-term and meaningful change to our granting systems. We have provided $110,000 in grants to support Black and African Diaspora community initiatives.

  Healthy City scholar program

  We hired a Healthy City scholar to review existing policies, look at best practices, and develop recommendations of strategies we can adopt to address anti-Black racism in Vancouver.

  Staff are reviewing these recommendations and determining the appropriate potential actions.

  • Get details on this project External website, opens in new tab

  ​​​​​​​Black History Month

  For Black History Month 2021, we  engaged BlackArt Gastown to create and curate a photo map called Give Them Their Flowers that celebrates ten Black residents who are making impactful contributions to life in Vancouver.

  • Learn about Black History Month and these ten leaders

  Anti-Black racism town hall

  We thank all the community members who participated in the anti-Black racism town hall on September 24. If you missed it, you can watch the recording on YouTube External website, opens in new tab

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  Anti-racism strategy and actions

  
  Staff are expediting the City’s anti-racism strategy with input from residents and partners across Vancouver including Indigenous, Black, and other racialized peoples to ensure Vancouver is an equitable and just place for all.

  Advocacy

  We're advocating to the Province to create a formal representative to improve mental health supports for residents impacted by racism and hate.

  This advocacy work includes recommendations for services to assist people seeking redress for experiences of racism and violence.

  Public campaign: Day of Action Against Racism

  We proclaimed May 29, 2020 as a Day of Action Against Racism PDF file (6 MB), a day to reflect on how we can collectively take a stand against racism and hate, while also recognizing that racism has long been part of Vancouver’s history and to learn from mistakes of the past.

  • Watch the Day of Action Against Racism video External website, opens in new tab

  Racial and Ethno-Cultural Equity Advisory Committee actions

  The Racial and Ethno-Cultural Equity Advisory Committee identified ‘Combatting Racism’ as a key focus area in their recommendations to City Council.

  Access Without Fear policy

  We're preparing to implement the Access Without Fear policy internally and externally. This policy has the objective of supporting access to City services by Vancouver residents with uncertain or no immigration status. The policy enables these residents to use municipal services without fear that the City of Vancouver will ask about their immigration status, or report their immigration status to other institutions unless required by law.

  Read the full Access Without Fear policy PDF file (59 KB)

  There will be opportunities to engage City partners in the roll-out of this important work. Email equity@vancouver.ca if you are interested in being involved in this work.

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  Internal structure changes

  Chief equity officer

  Just before the COVID-19 impacts, the City manager created the position of chief equity officer in the City Manager’s Office.

  The City hired Aftab Erfan, who will lead the development of an organizational plan and our approach to institutional and cultural change, and work with departments to implement the equity framework internally and integrate and strengthen an equity and justice lens in our service delivery to the public.  

  Internal equity initiatives

  We're implementing a number of initiatives to support Indigenous, Black, and other racialized City staff, including:

  • A town hall with City staff, planned for late September 
  • Providing improved reporting and reviewing staff supports and other internal programs to support Indigenous, Black, and racialized staff 

  Anti-Black racism and white privilege awareness training

  We piloted awareness training in 2019 with staff to name and address the realities and consequences of individual and institutional racism. 

  We will be exploring how to embed this training content into our standard training curriculum.

  Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team in the EOC

  An Equity and Inclusion team has been embedded with the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to support community resilience, help lower barriers to accessing timely, critical information, and work to ensure historically underrepresented groups disproportionately impacted by the pandemic are part of the COVID-19 emergency response.

  During the summer, we hosted virtual town halls in Tagalog, Punjabi, Vietnamese, and Chinese with former Fire Chief Darrell Reid to communicate with residents concerning COVID-19 and next steps in the recovery process.

  Equity framework

  Staff are in the final stages of developing an equity framework which will empower staff across departments to implement a race-forward equity and intersectional lens on all areas of City work and decision-making.

  An update on the status of the equity framework development is expected to be presented to Council in November 2020 and we will share framework materials when they become available.

Upcoming actions

We understand that these actions are long overdue. We're committed to ensuring these activities are meaningful and respectful of the continuous labour, leadership, and action of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities in Vancouver.

As echoed in the calls to justice from Indigenous and racialized communities, anti-racism and equity work is not a one-off process. 

Our actions are aimed at transforming our internal and external processes to ensure our programming is fair and equitable and to highlight our commitment to being accountable to the wider community.

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  Staff survey

  We will conduct a workforce survey in 2021 as part of our commitment to build, nurture, and sustain a diverse and inclusive environment.

  The survey will provide us with disaggregated data on our workforce, as well as an indication of staff engagement and sense of inclusion. The results will help shape HR’s equity and inclusion policies.

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  Commemorations policy

  Staff will review statues and the names of City assets, including streets, and the policies governing commissions and donations of monuments and memorials.

  We will also address the painful impacts statues and streets dedicated to figures of colonial history have on Indigenous, Black, and racialized communities.

  We will review the Gassy Jack statue in Gastown with direction from the Squamish Nation, in addition to other assets across the city.

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  Apology to South Asian Community

  Our 2020 budget included funding to support work with the South Asian community on a potential apology to the South Asian community for historic discrimination.

  This project was put on hold due to COVID-19 response and will be prioritized once staff are in place.

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  Dialogue and accountability

  We'll be forming a new working group in partnership with other public agencies such as Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver Police Department, and Vancouver Public Library to discuss and act on priorities already raised by communities, including:

  • Collecting race-based data
  • Safe reporting
  • Supports for victims and targets of hate crimes and racism

Our responsibilities

While the City oversees many of the decisions and projects that occur within Vancouver, we do not do this work alone. There are many different organizations and partners who help to make Vancouver the vibrant and diverse city it is.

Review the cityscape infographic with more detail PDF file (153 KB)

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  How our managers work together

  Within the City, there are several different service groups (departments) which are led by general managers who report into the City manager.

  The City manager liaises with Council and ensures that we meet priorities and goals outlined for the year, and make Vancouver a livable and vibrant city.

  These service groups are each responsible for supporting the community and advancing strategic priorities such as encouraging the development of more affordable housing, creating a healthier and more equitable Vancouver, addressing climate change, and maintaining critical infrastructure.

  Review a graphic showing this relationship PDF file (84 KB)

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  Our role vs other levels of government

  There are some areas of jurisdiction that fall under the federal or provincial government such as healthcare, the economy, education, transportation, housing, and others.

  Although the City works closely with these organizations to advocate for Vancouver residents, we cannot make decisions on their behalf and have limited control over their operations.

  We recognize that communities have called on us to enact more immediate change in policing, healthcare, equity, and other service areas. While some of the requests made fall outside the scope of the City’s functions, we are committed to advocating for residents to the organizations that handle these areas.