B.C.B次元官网网址檚 head of anti-racism was in Penticton on Friday, May 12, to speak to how the province plans on tackling systemic discrimination.

The provinceB次元官网网址檚 Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, Vancouver-Kensington MLA Mable Elmore, appeared before a large crowd at the Lakeside Resort for the Confronting the White Elephant, Exploring Anti-Racism forum.

It marked her first visit to the region since being to named to the role in December 2022.

The event was hosted by the South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services Society throughout the day.

B次元官网网址淭hese are difficult, challenging conversations to have but so important,B次元官网网址� Elmore said. B次元官网网址淲e know racism hurts, it injures, it killsB次元官网网址�thereB次元官网网址檚 a commitment from the government to understand that, recognize whatB次元官网网址檚 happened and to make efforts to repair that harm, hurt and that injury.B次元官网网址�

ElmoreB次元官网网址檚 talk at the event was preceded by an appearance on stage from Penticton MLA Dan Ashton. Both members of the B.C. legislative, although on opposite sides of the floor, said Friday they are working together to distribute an upcoming survey to learn more about peopleB次元官网网址檚 experiences with racism.

B次元官网网址淲e need your help to identify how we move forward,B次元官网网址� Elmore said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e committed to undertaking a consultation with all British Columbians because weB次元官网网址檙e all in it together.B次元官网网址�

The Vancouver-Kensington MLA was first elected in 2009 and acknowledged Friday that thereB次元官网网址檚 lots of work to be done when it comes to addressing systemic discrimination in all its forms.

B次元官网网址淏.C. as a province actually has a record of passing some of the most explicitly racist pieces of legislation in our country,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty shocking, but thatB次元官网网址檚 the reality.B次元官网网址�

Along with currently reviewing the police act, Elmore added that the province has implemented anti-racism initiatives in schools and in healthcare spaces.

She says a new anti-racism action plan, for instance, engages teachers, parents and students in schools from kindergarten to Grade 12, province-wide.

B次元官网网址淗ow do we better understand each other?B次元官网网址� she asked. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 really critical and key to all this.B次元官网网址�

FridayB次元官网网址檚 conference ran from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured several speakers and musical performances from across the South Okanagan and the rest of B.C.

logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com