British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal
British Columbia Human Rights Code
Protected Grounds in Employment
Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or because that person has been convicted of a criminal or summary conviction offence that is unrelated to the employment or to the intended employment of that person.
Suggested Changes of the Code with Respect to Volunteers
From
Definitions 1, In this Code
“employment” includes the relationship of master and servant, master and apprentice and principal and agent, if a substantial part of the agent’s services relate to the affairs of one principal, and “employ” has a corresponding meaning;
To
Definitions 1, In this Code
“employment” includes the relationship of master and servant, master and apprentice, volunteer and principal and agent, if a substantial part of the agent’s services relate to the affairs of one principal, and “employ” has a corresponding meaning;
Suggested Changes of the Code with Respect to Visible Identity
From
Discrimination in employment
13 (1) A person must not
(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ a person, or
(
b) discriminate against a person regarding employment or any term or condition of employment,
because of the Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or because that person has been convicted of a criminal or summary conviction offence that is unrelated to the employment or to the intended employment of that person.
To
Discrimination in employment
13 (1) A person must not
(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ a person, or
(b) discriminate against a person regarding employment or any term or condition of employment, or
(c) refuse or reassign any person who wears symbolic items that reflects their identities,
because of the Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or because that person has been convicted of a criminal or summary conviction offence that is unrelated to the employment or to the intended employment of that person.
Suggested Petition
Information about Petitions
Whereas
The Human Rights of volunteers have been protected by legal practice it is essential that this protection be codified in the British Columbia Human Rights Code (BCHRC).
And Whereas
Diversity is not always visible, and it should be celebrated, not a target of hate, so protection is needed in the BCHRC for persons who’ choose to display their individual identities with respect to the protected grounds of the BCHRC, while employed or volunteering.
And Whereas.
This is a complex issue and the British Columbia Human Rights Commission is best suited to develop a working policy on implementation.
And Whereas.
One should not be judged by their identities displayed rather by their actions as a volunteer or employee.
We the Undersigned Citizens of British Columbia request the Legislative Assembly to:
Amend the BCHRC to protect persons who volunteer.
AND
Amend the BCHRC to protect individuals who’s individual identities are based on the protected grounds of the BCHRC from removal, refusal, reassignment or retaliation, while choosing to wear symbolic items, that reflects their individual identities, while volunteering or employed…
Suggested Letter to Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Members of British Colombia Legislative Assembly
Notes: Copy, paste and edit to your liking. MLA’s will prioritize responding from persons in their riding.
Dear Member of the Legislative Assembly Full Name.
The Human Rights of volunteers have been protected by legal practice. It is essential that this protection be codified in the British Columbia Human Rights Code (BCHRC).
Diversity is not always visible, and it should be celebrated, not a target of hate, so protection is needed in the BCHRC for persons who’ choose to display their individual identities with respect to the protected grounds of the BCHRC, while employed or volunteering.
This is a complex issue and the British Columbia Human Rights Commission is best suited to develop a working policy on implementation.
One should not be judged by their identities displayed rather by their actions as a volunteer or employee.
Please consider the following amendments to the BCHRC as listed below.
In Solidarity
Your Full Name
Your Address
Your Telephone Number
Amendment 1. Section 1 is amended by inserting the following “, volunteer” after the word “apprentice.” in the definition of “employment”
Resulting in
Definitions 1, In this Code
“employment” includes the relationship of master and servant, master and apprentice, volunteer and principal and agent, if a substantial part of the agent’s services relate to the affairs of one principal, and “employ” has a corresponding meaning;
Amendment 2. Section 13, Section 1 is amended by adding the following text.
“ or (c) refuse or reassign any person who wears an item reflecting their identity,”
Resulting In
Discrimination in employment
13 (1) A person must not
(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ a person, or
(b) discriminate against a person regarding employment or any term or condition of employment, or
c) refuse or reassign any person who wears symbolic items that reflects their identities,
because of the Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or because that person has been convicted of a criminal or summary conviction offence that is unrelated to the employment or to the intended employment of that person.