Punjabi community members and other well wishers can support this initiative by visiting www.PunjabiHeritageMonth.ca and signing the online petition.
SURREY– Surrey-North New Democrat MP Jasbir Sandhu tabled a Private Members’ Bill on Tuesday, calling for the annual designation of April as Punjabi Heritage Month in Canada.
The request comes after Sandhu spearheaded consultations with heritage, arts, and cultural leaders from Surrey and the Lower Mainland. Across Canada, the NDP completed the largest and most successful nationwide consultations with the Punjabi community in the Party’s history.
“We initiated this campaign at the request of the Leader of the Official Opposition and Canada’s NDP, Tom Mulcair” said Jasbir Sandhu. “I was honoured to be able to connect with community members and organizations during the consultation process”.
Throughout the consultations, the recognition of the Punjabi community’s contributions and history in Canada was a constant theme of discussion. Punjabis have lived in Canada for over a hundred years, helping to shape a shared history, grow the Canadian economy and strengthen Canadian society.
“My hope is that Punjabi Heritage Month both recognizes the contributions of, and leads to greater support for, Punjabi arts, culture, and history both in my riding of Surrey North and throughout Canada”, said Sandhu. “I look forward to sharing this art, culture, and heritage with Canadians from coast to coast. Punjabiyan Dee Peh-chaan, Canada Dee Shaan”.
Members of the community can support this initiative by visiting www.PunjabiHeritageMonth.ca and signing the online petition.
