Report LGBTQ Discrimination in Surrey, BC

Civil Rights and Equity British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

In Surrey, British Columbia, people experiencing discrimination because of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression have municipal, provincial and police options. This guide explains how to report discrimination, who enforces rules, typical penalties or remedies, time limits, and practical steps for residents in Surrey. It covers city bylaw reporting for local incidents, filing a human-rights application with the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and when to contact the Surrey Police Service for hate incidents or criminal offences.

Penalties & Enforcement

Different authorities handle different aspects of LGBTQ discrimination in Surrey. The BC Human Rights Tribunal can order remedies for discrimination under the Human Rights Code; remedies and amounts are case-specific on the tribunal page.[1] Municipal enforcement (for example, hate graffiti or bylaw-related offences) is handled by the City of Surrey By-law Enforcement or community safety staff, while criminal hate-motivated conduct is investigated by the Surrey Police Service.[2]

  • Fines - municipal bylaw fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Tribunal remedies - compensation and orders: amounts are determined case-by-case on the Tribunal site.[1]
  • Criminal penalties - hate crimes prosecuted under the Criminal Code carry statutory penalties; see police/Crown information for details.
  • Non-monetary sanctions - orders to stop discriminatory practices, require training or policy changes, removal of content, or other corrective orders by the Tribunal or municipal authorities.
  • Enforcers and reporting pathways - BC Human Rights Tribunal for code complaints; City of Surrey By-law Enforcement for bylaw matters; Surrey Police Service for hate incidents and criminal conduct.[1]
  • Appeals and reviews - Tribunal decisions have appeal paths and enforcement mechanisms; specific time limits and appeal steps are detailed on the Tribunal site or in the decision documents.
Report threats or violence to police immediately - call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Applications & Forms

To start a human-rights claim, the BC Human Rights Tribunal provides application guidance and forms on its website; see that site for the current application process and any required materials.[1] For municipal bylaw concerns, the City of Surrey accepts complaints through its bylaw or complaints portal - check the city website for submission methods. For police reports about hate incidents or criminal offences, contact the Surrey Police Service as instructed on their reporting pages.[2]

How to Report Discrimination

Follow clear, documented steps when reporting: gather evidence, preserve communications, record dates and witnesses, choose the appropriate authority (city bylaw, tribunal, or police), and follow submission instructions on the official site. If the situation involves immediate danger or a criminal act, contact police first.

  • Collect evidence - dates, messages, photos, witness names.
  • Choose forum - bylaw report for municipal issues, Tribunal for rights complaints, police for criminal or violent incidents.
  • Act quickly - follow filing instructions and keep copies of submissions and receipts.
Keep a secure backup of all evidence and correspondence before submitting.

FAQ

How do I know whether to contact the City, the Tribunal, or the police?
Contact police for threats, violence, or criminal acts; use the BC Human Rights Tribunal for discriminatory treatment covered by the Human Rights Code; use City of Surrey bylaw channels for local bylaw violations like graffiti or signage issues.
Can the city fine someone for discrimination?
Municipal bylaws may address specific behaviours (for example graffiti or signage) and can carry fines; the city page should be consulted for specific bylaw offences and fine amounts - if not listed, the city site is the official source.
What remedies can the Tribunal order?
The Tribunal may order remedies such as compensation and corrective orders; specific amounts and remedies are case-by-case and set out in Tribunal decisions and guidance.[1]

How-To

  1. Document the incident with date, time, location, witnesses and copies of messages or images.
  2. If a crime or threat, call Surrey Police Service or 9-1-1 immediately and obtain a police file number.[2]
  3. For non-criminal discrimination, review the BC Human Rights Tribunal guidance and submit an application as instructed on the Tribunal website.[1]
  4. If the issue is a local bylaw matter, file a complaint with City of Surrey By-law Enforcement using the city complaint portal.

Key Takeaways

  • Use police for immediate danger or criminal hate incidents.
  • BC Human Rights Tribunal handles discrimination complaints under provincial law.
  • City of Surrey enforces local bylaws; contact bylaw enforcement for municipal issues.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] BC Human Rights Tribunal - official site for applications and remedies
  2. [2] Surrey Police Service - report hate incidents and non-emergencies

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