Why we place a priority on consistency

Beginning in the summer of 2020, Creative BC asks all funding program applicants (individuals as well as projects/initiatives) to voluntarily self-identify via a set of standardized questions to share information on gender, Indigenous identity,  racial and ethnocultural identity, disability, and sexual orientation.

Creative BC has streamlined its approach to  collection of social identity data from funding program applicants with uniform questions and categories of responses, which are closely aligned with the way similar data is collected by Statistics Canada and other funding agencies in Canada.    

The purpose of ensuring consistency and alignment is to harmonize with other data sources and to support comparability with provincial and national benchmarks. This in turn will help facilitate our accountability, allow us to measure progress, and help us better understand the clients we serve.

Why self-identification data collection is important 

The collection of self-identification data is driven by our own commitment to support a broad spectrum of voices and to ensure that we bring stories forward from many for whom there have been and continue to be barriers to access resources.

Our collection of the data you provide is in alignment with our Mission Statement and our Values. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion through its JEDDI work (Justice, Equity, Decolonization, Diversity and Inclusion).

Creative BC is committed to taking a leadership role in this area and to ensuring that provincial and federal governments’ data collection and reporting connects with our own, so together we can advance B.C. and Canada toward a culture of true equity, diversity, and inclusion. A harmonized self-identification data collection process allows Creative BC to track funding outcomes and  design new measures that achieve greater equity, diversity and inclusion in the creative industries.

Creative BC will ask people to voluntarily self-identify based on or as:

1. Gender 
2. Indigenous person to Canada  
3. 2SLGBTQIA+
4. Person living with one or more Disability  
5. Racial and ethnocultural identity

Completing the self-identification form is required, however all questions offer a selection “Prefer not to respond.”

PRIVACY, COLLECTION AND USE OF INFORMATION 

The self-identification information is collected, used, disclosed, retained and disposed of in accordance with the Privacy Act and B.C. Personal Information Protection Act the Access to Information Act. The information will be managed in accordance with provincial policies, directives and guidelines on information management and protection of personal information, and with Creative BC’s retention and disposition schedules.

Management of this information is the responsibility of Creative BC Privacy Officer and Director of Business Operations. Contact can be made at privacy@creativebc.com.

The information submitted is confidential and will be used to compile aggregate statistics on representation and participation across Creative BC programs and services, as well as to inform growing insights into B.C.’s music industry composition. Specific Program Guidelines will clearly outline how choosing to self-identify and providing social identity characteristics may relate to determine funding program eligibility or support prioritization and weighted criteria designed to increase the diversity of recipient pools.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the social identity questions in our form:

The collection of self-identification data is a tool to support Creative BC’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). This data provides information on the social identity characteristics of the population applying for and receiving Creative BC funds as well as those working for the organization. This information allows Creative BC’s to monitor progress and to ensure EDI principles are upheld in our programs and practices. We want to use these insights to recognize and remove barriers, and to design new mechanisms to achieve greater EDI in the creative industries.

2. Who is required to complete the questionnaire? 

All applicants and co-applicants for funding are required to respond to self-identification questions regarding gender, Indigenous identity, race, disability, and sexual orientation.

After you apply to a Creative BC program, you and/or all key personnel associated with your application will receive an email to complete a Self-ID survey. Within that email, you’ll receive a URL to the survey, and a form number to use as a link back to your application. Once you answer all of the required questions, click on submit. An error message will display at the top of the page if you miss any required information.

6. Can I make changes to my questionnaire after it has been completed and submitted? 

No. At this time, we do not offer an option for the Self-identification information to be changed. However, you may write the program analyst if you realize you have submitted incorrect information, and they can change your application if it has not already been reviewed.

7. Will my responses be tied to funding decisions in any way?

Program Guidelines will clearly outline how choosing to self-identify and providing social identity characteristics may relate to determine funding program eligibility or support prioritization and weighted criteria designed to increase the diversity of recipient pools.