Dion Drakes, a 44-year-old advertising and monetary guide, was put below a residency investigation by the Insurance coverage Company of British Columbia (ICBC) after making an attempt to resume his driver’s licence.
Drakes says he has lived in Canada for 39 years, in B.C. for 20 and in the identical condo in Vancouver’s West Finish for 11. He’s a everlasting resident, born in Grenada, who hasn’t sought Canadian citizenship.
Drakes visited ICBC’s Downtown Vancouver workplace to resume his licence on Oct. 15, utilizing his passport and everlasting resident card as ID.
ICBC stated a comment by Drakes throughout that go to triggered the investigation: “I’m a Canadian resident however do not essentially reside right here,” or one thing to that impact. The Crown company says that led to suspicions Drakes didn’t reside in B.C. and was due to this fact ineligible for a licence.
However Drakes stated he by no means stated something like that and believes he was racially profiled.
“Is it as a result of I am a Black man in Vancouver and there is not that many Black folks right here?” Drakes requested.
“Am I not presupposed to be residing right here?”
Not advised of investigation
An worker handed Drakes a 60-day momentary licence and stated a brand new licence would arrive in 4 to 6 weeks. The worker additionally, with out telling Drakes, known as for a residency investigation.
ICBC admits Drakes ought to have been knowledgeable instantly.
“This was a mistake on our half,” an ICBC spokesperson wrote in an e-mail to CBC. “We’ve got defined this to Mr. Drakes and apologized.”
Drakes stated he did not know in regards to the investigation till he obtained a letter from ICBC dated Dec. 21 asking him to show B.C. residency. His momentary licence had by then expired.
On Jan. 4, an investigator requested Drakes to reply emailed questions broadly about his journey historical past, residency and plans to stay in B.C.
On Jan. 7, he was requested to offer proof of B.C. residency. He emailed a duplicate of his rental settlement.
Drakes was then advised on Jan. 18 to go to ICBC once more to offer his identification once more. He obtained a brand new momentary licence.
On Jan. 19, the investigator wrote in an e-mail that ICBC was happy Drakes is a B.C. resident.
On Feb. 4 — 16 weeks after the primary go to — Drakes obtained his renewed licence.
Drakes stated he by no means obtained an satisfactory clarification for the investigation. ICBC denies this and says it advised him the explanation — his disputed remark — a number of occasions.
Drakes needs an apology if he was racially profiled.
“They should do one thing in order that this does not truly occur once more,” he stated.
Drakes stated he requested for notes about his case however was rebuffed. CBC Information obtained ICBC’s notes nearly a month after first requesting them, following a evaluate by the insurer’s privateness staff. The notes embrace the remark Drakes allegedly made about not “essentially” residing right here.
ICBC dedicated to ‘dignity and respect’
ICBC stated residency investigations happen when workers consider a buyer will not be an “abnormal resident” of B.C. — mainly, if a buyer doesn’t intend to reside within the province.
“This concern can come from many issues … together with statements made by the client,” a spokesperson wrote.
It’s a buyer’s duty to show they’re a B.C. resident, the spokesperson added. Tenancy agreements, employment information, banking and bank card purchases and journey historical past can all be thought of.
ICBC stated it could not say what number of residency investigations it conducts nor what number of uncover that somebody doesn’t reside in B.C.
It additionally has no information on the ethnicity of individuals investigated for residency.
“ICBC takes allegations of discrimination very critically,” the spokesperson wrote.
“We’re dedicated to fostering a respectful, inclusive office the place everybody — together with all clients — are handled with dignity and respect.”
Anti-racism advocate Manjot Bains questions why a easy renewal turned an issue for a Black man specifically and suspects systemic racism.
“It is a lifetime of expertise and what we name microaggressions,” Bains stated.
“If somebody tells you they’d this expertise, why not belief their instinct and that their expertise is legitimate?”
Drakes stated he is skilled racial profiling earlier than.
“I am older now and I’ve my voice. I am not going to let issues like that slide,” Drakes stated.
“It is simply not acceptable.”
For extra tales in regards to the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success tales inside the Black neighborhood — take a look at Being Black in Canada, a CBC mission Black Canadians may be pleased with. You’ll be able to learn extra tales right here.
CBC Vancouver’s Impression Staff investigates and studies on tales that influence folks of their local people and strives to carry people, establishments and organizations to account. When you’ve got a narrative for us, e-mail [email protected].
