People in British Columbia who experience racism continue to be supported through the Province’s Racist Incident Helpline, which is expanding to also support people who experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Incidents of hate are rarely driven by a single factor. People who are targeted deserve support that reflects who they are and what they’ve experienced,” said Niki Sharma, Attorney General. “Expanding the helpline ensures that when incidents of hate do occur, more people can access services that are inclusive, culturally appropriate and responsive to their needs.”

The Racist Incident Helpline is a toll-free, multilingual service for people who have experienced discrimination based on the colour of their skin, culture, ethnicity or place of origin. Callers receive support, guidance and referrals to community support services.

In its second year of operation (2025-26), the helpline received calls from 673 people seeking help dealing with racism and made more than 1,600 referrals to support services. On average, each caller was connected to two services, reflecting the range of supports people need, including legal advice, mental-health services and peer support.

Expanding support to address hate holistically

In the first two years, the Racist Incident Helpline received calls from members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including individuals who identified as transgender, non-binary or other. While the helpline has always welcomed calls from 2SLGBTQIA+ people, it was previously limited in its ability to connect them with specialized services. To address this gap, QMUNITY, an experienced, non-profit service provider, will join the helpline’s referral network and will provide culturally appropriate, community-based supports.

“At a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across B.C. are experiencing rising hate, isolation and barriers to support, this funding helps ensure people have somewhere affirming to turn,” said Michaël Robach, interim executive director, QMUNITY. “Through this partnership, we will be able to better connect vulnerable people to crucial services, help them navigate complicated systems and expand access to much-needed affirming care across B.C.”