Hate doesn’t always show up in news headlines. It isn’t always boldly displayed on a North Vancouver highway overpass or shouted through megaphones. More often, it’s quieter. It’s a slur hurled from a passing car. An anonymous troll on social media. A cruel joke in a group chat. Or the silence that follows when no one speaks up.
Hate, in all its forms, is corrosive. It tells some members of our community that they don’t belong here. According to the RCMP’s latest statistics, hate has increased by 23% across B.C. between 2022 and 2023. And yes, even here in North Vancouver, that struggle continues. Many still hide their identities in public spaces out of fear. That is not acceptable. And it is not the North Vancouver I believe in.
This week, I was proud to ask the Mayor and Council in the District of North Vancouver to endorse the Anti-Hate Pledge, which aligns with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the B.C. Human Rights Code. It received unanimous support. As municipal leaders, this is not just symbolic. It is a commitment to build a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued, no matter who they are or whom they love.
At the end of this month, our community will mark Pride Week—a time to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ members of our community. But Pride is more than parades and rainbow flags. It is rooted in struggle and resilience. It is a reminder that many people still live with fear, discrimination, and exclusion.
When we take the anti-hate pledge, we say clearly: Hate has no home here.
We send a message to those who’ve been targeted: We believe you.
We send a message to those who spread hate: We will not be silent.
We send a message to the broader community: We are building a more inclusive North Vancouver for everyone.
Anti-Hate Pledge
The District of North Vancouver recognizes that hate and discrimination continue to harm individuals and undermine community well-being.
In alignment with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and B.C.’s Human Rights Code, this pledge affirms a commitment to a safe, inclusive municipality where hate is not tolerated.
Therefore, District of North Vancouver Mayor and Council pledge to:
- Reject all forms of hate and discrimination. (Public or online messaging targeting people
on the basis of age, race, indigenous identity, ancestry, colour, place of origin, family status,
gender identity or expression, sex and sexual orientation, housing, income, marital status,
physical or mental disability, or religion);
- Promote equity, inclusion, and intersectionality in leadership.
- Advocate for education, public awareness and support systems to reduce hate-based incidents; and,
- Commit to ongoing engagement with community members to build lasting, inclusive strategies.
This pledge reinforces Charter values of equality, freedom, and multiculturalism and demonstrates proactive municipal leadership in making the District of North Vancouver a safer,
The trouble with this pledge is that it includes numerous other points that are not truly related to “hate”.
I do not like hidden agendas in any form and an agenda that says in essence that “if you don’t agree with me that’s hate!” is not something I’m going to support.
Saying “Promote equity, inclusion, and intersectionality in leadership.” is a totally different issue from hate as it promotes some members of society above others. In Britain they talk of “Two-tier Pier” and to a large extent this proposal is “Two-tier DNV”.
I will NOT accept a pledge that essentially says “No (insert group here) need apply”.
Similarly there is no clear consensus of issues like “Sexual Identity” and there are issues related to this such as transitioning children below legal age either with or without their parents’ consent or even knowledge in some cases. The abuses related to the British Tavistock Institute are a key case in point.
Lastly I do NOT agree with “Commit to ongoing engagement with community members” since in practice this does NOT mean “with the community generally” but rather in effect that “DNV should commit to meeting with various special interest groups whether or not they are actually DNV residents” as District has done for more than 20 years to my personal knowledge – and that includes cases where community members who live in the affected areas were not notified or invited to these events. It also includes grants given to groups outside the normal DNV Financial plan with little or no specifics made available to the public as to what these funds were for.
I assure you that I have been closely watching Council affairs for 20+ years (Mayor Little will vouch for me on this point) and know whereof I speak (even though he and I may disagree on specific interpretations)
So no I will NOT be in support of Clr Pope’s proposal.
Good for Lyle to have the courage to speak out and I agree with him. Has anyone ever taken a poll on how many hateful comments are made towards those who are homeless due to mental illness, how about those who may be slow in movement due to age or physical limitations (anyone behind one of these people in a line up when YOU are in a hurry??) What about the basic freedom of speech – are parents no longer to comment on what goes on in the classrooms even though those things could go against their religious or moral beliefs? Who has the right to infringe on others on what is hate and what is not – most of these issues are just basic common sense and care about others and those who want to hate will always find a way. Every human is capable of both hate and love – how about awarding actions that show love more then focus on those who show hate?
There are many racist people here in Canada not only at the workplace but also at the bus.I was once encountered a Chinese woman telling me there are many Filipinos here and I just ignore it.