16.49°C Vancouver

Nov 6, 2023 9:40 PM - The Canadian Press

Israel, Hamas conflict causes surge of discrimination: BC rights commissioner

Share On
israel-hamas-conflict-causes-surge-of-discrimination-bc-rights-commissioner
Govender says Vancouver police alone have reported 18 hate incidents aimed at the Jewish community, while the National Council of Canadian Muslims has said the last few weeks have been the worst in decades for Islamophobia reports. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

British Columbia's human rights commissioner says the devastating events in and around the Gaza Strip are causing a surge of discrimination and violence targeting Jewish and Muslim people.

Kasari Govender says in a statement that she is deeply concerned about the rising number of hate incidents and she's calling for immediate and sustained action to address and prevent further proliferation.

Govender says Vancouver police alone have reported 18 hate incidents aimed at the Jewish community, while the National Council of Canadian Muslims has said the last few weeks have been the worst in decades for Islamophobia reports.

She says the latest surge follows a wave of discrimination this fall against trans and gender diverse people, which came after a dramatic rise in hate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Govender says while hate isn't new, it will rise during times of crisis in society and be amplified by the spread of misinformation if no concerted action is taken.

Govender says it's critical that those affected by discrimination have appropriate avenues for reporting incidents and that justice is pursued for hate crimes.

She says the dozen recommendations to counter hate that she made in a report to the BC government last year need to be implemented to address the rise in hate that happen during moments of societal crisis.

Latest news

BCSep 02, 2025

Provincial Forest Advisory Council launches website, engagement process

The Provincial Forest Advisory Council (PFAC or the council) has launched a new website where people in British Columbia can learn about the council's work and share their input about the future of forestry in B.C. Announced in May 2025 by the Ministry of Forests, the council is an independent group of forestry experts tasked with developing recommendations for how to build a stronger, more stable forestry system that works for communities, the economy and the environment. The council's work will focus on understanding and articulating the underlying issues facing the forestry sector and the
alberta-government-pauses-ban-on-school-library-books-with-sex-content
AlbertaSep 02, 2025

Alberta government pauses ban on school library books with sex content

Alberta's education minister is directing school boards to pause a government order to remove books with explicit sexual content from libraries. Demetrios Nicolaides says in an email to school divisions and officials that they should pause any development or distribution of lists of books that are to be removed. He says the pause is in effect until further notice. A draft list from Edmonton Public Schools of books to be removed from libraries was leaked online last week. It contains more than 200 titles, including Margaret Atwood's ``The Handmaid's Tale,'' which prompted the au
female-arrested-after-stabbing-in-fort-st-john
BCSep 02, 2025

Female arrested after stabbing in Fort St John

28-year-old Kayla Breeze Trudeau has been taken into custody after a male was stabbed in a parking lot in Fort St John. On August 28, 2025, at approximately 1:46 p.m. Fort St John RCMP members responded to a report that a male had been stabbed in the chest in a parking lot near 99 Avenue and 100 Street in Fort St John, BC. Responding officers blocked 99 Avenue, investigated, and identified the female suspect who was arrested within 10 minutes of the initial call to the RCMP. The male victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Kayla Breeze Trudeau, who is known t
bc-rcmp-notifies-iio-of-incident-in-burnaby
BCSep 02, 2025

BC RCMP notifies IIO of incident in Burnaby

The BC RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Burnaby which has resulted in one person being taken to hospital after an officer involved shooting. On Monday, September 1, 2025, at approximately 2:51 p.m. Burnaby RCMP received a call regarding a domestic dispute at a residence in the 4300 block of Dundas Street. When the responding officer arrived, they located a suspect with an edged weapon. An interaction occurred and shots were fired by police. The victim was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds. They are in serious condition.
BCSep 02, 2025

One person arrested after assault in Cranberry area

In the early morning of September 2, 2025, Powell River RCMP responded to an assault in progress on Irvine St. The male suspect fled on foot and a search involving Powell River RCMP, the Emergency Response Team, Police Dog Services and Air Services was initiated. Mowat Bay access was temporarily restricted to the public and the area was contained. The suspect was located in the area and he was arrested and taken into custody and will be held to appear in front of a Judge. There is no risk to public safety. All public areas in Cranberry are now open.

Related News