Racism in the N. Okanagan

Photo: Getty Images

Vernon may not be a hotbed of discrimination or prejudice, but it does exist.

And much of it is not even reported through formal agencies.

Annette Sharkey, with the social planning council, met with Vernon city council this week to tell officials about what was done with information from a multicultural survey that was conducted almost two years.

It found 45 per cent of respondents reported having witnessed prejudice and discrimination while living in Vernon.

Among respondents 60 years or more, only 29 per cent had witnessed discrimination compared to 67 per cent of 19-39 year olds.

However, the survey stated in recent years, there have been no reports of hate crimes to the local RCMP and no requests or referrals for support in a human rights tribunal to the legal advocacy program.

Sharkey said discrimination or prejudice is “something we knew existed and the survey provided some validation of that.”

Sharkey said they also learned many people are more willing to talk informally about discrimination or prejudice.

So, the social planning council met with service providers and agencies such as the RCMP, Kindale, RCMP Victim Assistance Services, Immigration Services and other groups to provide workshops and education on how to deal with discrimination or prejudice and determine if there is a better way to help those facing either.

“We let service providers know how to provide the best support,” said Sharkey. 

According to the report, service providers said clients do sometimes share incidents of racism and discrimination but do not necessarily want to pursue formal recourses.

In some cases, the racism and discrimination are more subtle and therefore harder to address. Some clients are hesitant to discuss these experiences and feel embarrassed or ashamed.