The Province of British Columbia has released its third annual report under the Anti-Racism Data Act, showing inequities in public service representation, board appointments, and pay gaps.
The Anti-Racism Data Committee (ARDC) identified three key research priorities: equity in the BC Public Service, representation on boards, and economic inclusion.
While some progress has been made — including increased representation on provincial boards — the report show’s gaps remain.
Data Findings:
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Public Service: Indigenous and racialized employees remain underrepresented, especially in leadership roles. Many are concentrated in lower-level or temporary positions.
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Board Appointments: Racialized and Indigenous representation has improved, but rural and remote communities still face barriers to civic participation.
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Pay Gaps: Racialized workers earn significantly less than Caucasian counterparts in 9 of 26 occupations, even with similar qualifications.
Minister of Citizens’ Services George Chow said the findings are vital for tackling systemic racism in government:
“With Indigenous partners and the ARDC, we can meaningfully address inequities in our services and institutions.”
The Province also released updated research priorities for 2025–2027, focusing on health, education, housing, justice, sports, and economic inclusion.
ARDC Chair June Francis emphasized the importance of using data to drive change:
“We cannot fix what we do not understand. These findings shine a light on systemic issues that communities have long known.”
The government is taking steps including internal research, targeted recruitment strategies, and expanding economic inclusion research with community input.
For more information, visit gov.bc.ca/antiracism.
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