What About British Columbia – Will Premier Christy Clark Do The Same For BC Sikhs?
TORONTO – Ontario has taken the lead in Canadian provinces in declaring the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month every year. Sikh Canadians widely celebrate Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, in early April every year.
A bill brought by Brampton New Democrat Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Jagmeet Singh to have April recognised as Sikh Heritage Month was approved Tuesday in the legislative assembly of Ontario, the Brampton Guardian reported.
Singh had introduced the bill in the assembly last April.
He said that April is an important month for the Sikh community as the festival of Baisakhi is celebrated in this month, which also marks the creation of the Khalsa.
“This will be an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Sikh Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario,” Singh was quoted as saying after the bill was passed.
“Sikh Canadians have made significant contributions to Ontario’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric,” said Singh.
Statistics Canada puts the Sikh population in Ontario at nearly 180,000 based on the 2011 National Household Survey.
What about British Columbia? Will Premier Christy Clark do the same for BC Sikhs, who were instrumental in her becoming the BC Liberal leader.
