National

Discrimination probe launched into police use of force in B.C.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jan, 2024 10:41 AM

British Columbia's human rights commissioner has launched an inquiry into police use of force against people who are racialized or dealing with mental health issues.

Kasari Govender says in a statement the inquiry comes as a result of a 2021 study by the commissioner's office showing a "disturbing pattern of discrimination in policing in the province."

Govender says while no comprehensive data exists on the severity of the problem, available information suggests police use force "more frequently and with greater severity" against these two groups.

The inquiry is aimed at "quantifying" police use of force in these instances, and Govender says it aims to make recommendations to address "systemic discrimination."

The commissioner's November 2021 report analyzing data from five B.C. police jurisdictions found Indigenous, black and West-Asian people were all overrepresented in arrests and chargeable incidents.

The report also found that police interact more frequently with people dealing with mental health issues, which in turn has a "greater impact" on racialized individuals.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Cap on student visas should help take pressure off soaring rents, Macklem says

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said at a cabinet retreat in Montreal on Monday that the number of new visas handed out this year will be capped at 364,000, a 35 per cent decrease from the nearly 560,000 issued last year. The number for 2025 will be set after an assessment of the situation later this year.

Cap on student visas should help take pressure off soaring rents, Macklem says

Atmospheric river could bring rain to parts of southern B.C., risk of flooding

Weather officials are warning residents in British Columbia's South Coast region of another atmospheric river system that could bring storms and elevate flood risks starting Saturday. Environment and Climate Change Canada says the region is expected to see periods of heavy rain combined with melting mountain snow until Wednesday.

Atmospheric river could bring rain to parts of southern B.C., risk of flooding

B.C. Centre for Disease Control reports fourth flu-related death of child under 10

The centre says there have now been four flu-related deaths in children under 10 during the current respiratory illness season. It says flu-related deaths refer to those where influenza was a contributing factor but not necessarily the primary cause of death.

B.C. Centre for Disease Control reports fourth flu-related death of child under 10

B.C. odour incidents spark questions around corporate ethics and communication

Vancouver resident Robert Ford was heading to a yoga class Sunday morning when he smelled an odour he likened to "semi-burnt fuel." As a member of council at his Kitsilano apartment building, he said he decided to check the boiler room, but it smelled fine.

B.C. odour incidents spark questions around corporate ethics and communication

U.K. suspends trade negotiations with Canada, each accuses the other of not budging

The United Kingdom is hitting the brakes on trade talks with Canada after Ottawa decided not to extend temporary measures put in place after Brexit. London announced the pause in negotiations Thursday less than a month before the ninth round of talks towards a permanent trade deal was scheduled to take place.

U.K. suspends trade negotiations with Canada, each accuses the other of not budging

Suspect in Surrey shooting arrested

R-C-M-P say a suspect in a fatal shooting in Surrey in 2022 has been arrested in Ontario. Police say a 20-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were injured in the February 2022 shooting, and the man -- Juvraj Jabal of Surrey -- later died in hospital