The B.C. Office of the Human Rights Commission is promising to conduct a trauma-informed and culturally safe probe into "hate in the pandemic".

The intent of the new public inquiry, according to a statement on its website, "is to examine hate in all its forms: not only racism and racial hate, but also hate directed at groups protected under B.C.'s Human Rights Code".

This means that this inquiry will examine "hate perpetuated on the basis of religion, gender identity, disability, Indigeneity, sexual orientation, poverty or homelessness".

“It is critical for all of us to be better prepared to prevent and respond to hate during global health, economic and social crises to protect our human rights during turbulent times,” Commissioner Kasari Govender said in a news release.

There will be no public hearings. Instead, the commission will "solicit expert and public testimony virtually to protect privacy and embed trauma informed practices".

Submissions will be accepted in the fall and the inquiry is expected to take a year. 

There will be no legal findings of guilt or liability. The government will be free to accept or reject any recommendations from the inquiry.

It comes after Bloomberg described Vancouver as the "Anti-Asian Hate Crime Capital of North America", based on the number of crimes reported to police.

In 2020, reported anti-Asian hate crimes surged 717 percent in Vancouver, according to police. In the same year, there was also a 350 percent increase in Burnaby. And in a two-week period this year, Delta police received reports on 10 suspected hate crimes.

“Many of us are uncomfortable acknowledging hate because we want to think of our country as a peaceful, respectful place. The truth is that hate is here, and it is growing,” Govender said. “Fear and ignorance underlie much of the rise of hate and white supremacy in B.C. Combating hate in all its forms requires addressing fear, systemic inequality and ignorance through an evidence-based approach to change.”

The hate inquiry's website includes a list of organizations that people can contact if they're in mental distress, seeking alcohol or drug information or referrals, or in need of support to deal with trauma related to discrimination.

This list also includes contact information for the Indian Residential Schools Survivors Society, an Islamophobia hotline, a Prideline, a Trans Lifeline, a seniors distress line, a Black youth hotline, a Native youth crisis hotline, kids help phone, and Battered Women's Support Services.