Law360 Canada (July 10, 2026, 4:31 PM EDT) -- British Columbia’s Racist Incident Helpline is expanding support to those experiencing hate based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Incidents of hate are rarely driven by a single factor. People who are targeted deserve support that reflects who they are and what they’ve experienced,” said Attorney General Niki Sharma in a July 9 statement.

“Expanding the helpline ensures that when incidents of hate do occur, more people can access services that are inclusive, culturally appropriate and responsive to their needs.”

The Racist Incident Helpline is a multilingual, toll-free service for people who have experienced discrimination based on skin colour, culture, ethnicity or place of origin. Callers receive guidance, support and referrals to community support services.

In 2025-26, its second year of operation, the helpline received calls from 673 people seeking help and made more than 1,600 referrals to support services. Each caller was connected to two services on average, the province said, reflecting the range of supports including legal advice, mental health services and peer support.

In its first two years, the helpline received calls from members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including individuals who identified as transgender, non-binary or other. While the helpline always welcomed calls from these individuals, it was limited in its ability to connect them with specialized services.

To address this gap, QMUNITY, a non-profit service provider, will join the referral network and provide culturally appropriate, community-based supports.

“At a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across B.C. are experiencing rising hate, isolation and barriers to support, this funding helps ensure people have somewhere affirming to turn,” said Michaël Robach, QMUNITY’s interim executive director.

“Through this partnership, we will be able to better connect vulnerable people to crucial services, help them navigate complicated systems and expand access to much-needed affirming care across B.C.”

From April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, 92 per cent of callers said their needs were met. Nearly four per cent of callers who disclosed their age were 19 or younger, and more than one in four callers was over 60.

The most common types of hate reported were harassment (27 per cent), verbal slurs (24 per cent) and threats (13 per cent). Nearly nine per cent of the reports were about a physical incident. There were 46 callers that were referred to the RCMP or the Vancouver Police Department.

The helpline is accessible at 1-833-457-5463 (1 833 HLP-LINE) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST on weekdays. After-hours callers can leave a voicemail requesting a callback during regular hours.

Service is offered in more than 240 languages, including French, Punjabi and Mandarin, the province noted. For immediate assistance or in an emergency, people should call 911.

In 2025-26, B.C. invested about $2.7 million in 38 community organizations that make up the helpline’s referral network. They provide culturally safe services where people live and have expanded their capacity to respond to community needs. Further improvements to the grant system are expected in fall 2026, the province said.

The helpline was part of the province’s broader work to address racism in B.C., including its first Anti-Racism Action Plan, published in June. The plan details the commitments that core ministries are making to remove racist barriers inhibiting Indigenous and racialized people’s access to government programs and services.

If you have information, story ideas or news tips for Law360 Canada on business-related law and litigation, including class actions, please contact Anosha Khan at anosha.khan@lexisnexis.ca or 905-415-5838.