Sikh Heritage Month Legislation at Second Reading

The Voice of Canada News

Ottawa, ON – Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North was honoured to address the House of Commons during the second reading of Bill C-376, introduced by  Sukh Dhaliwal, Member of Parliament for Surrey-Newton, to recognize April as Sikh Heritage Month.

“The passage of this bill would recognize the contributions of Sikhs to Canadian society and educate future generations about our language, traditions, and history in Canada,” said MP Sahota. “I look around at my fellow Sikh members of Parliament, listen to their personal stories, and cannot help but acknowledge and be grateful that we have had the opportunity to be here today because of the hard work and struggles of the Sikh community before us.”
The month of April holds particular significance to Sikhs, as it is the time of year when the community celebrates Vaisakhi, which marks the birth of the Khalsa Panth. Sikhism is rooted in the teachings of equality, unity, selfless service and social justice, values that all Canadians hold dear and strive to incorporate into their daily lives. Sikh values are in fact Canadian values.

Sahota recognizes “it has not always been easy. The Sikh community has been a victim to racism, discrimination and violence. Generations of Sikhs have struggled to find their place. From the rejection of Sikhs aboard the Komagata Maru to the desecration of gurdwaras, the history of Sikhs in Canada has dark chapters. However, those dark chapters are now coming to a close, because as a country we have grown. I, the daughter of Sikh immigrants, today, have the opportunity to stand in the House and speak to legislation that recognizes the importance of my heritage, so that tomorrow, Sikh youth can take the utmost pride in who they are and be able to share and celebrate that heritage.”

Sikhs have found their place in Canada, because Canada’s proud legacy of multiculturalism does not ask Sikhs to chose between faith and religion. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms has allowed Sikhs to physically and spiritually be who they are without giving up being Canadian. Theimplementation of the charter has ensured that equality and diversity have become the pillars and strength of Canada.

Bill C-376 – An act to designate the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month reads:

Whereas the Sikh population in Canada is in excess of 500,000 people, making it the second-largest Sikh population in the world;

Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes the significant contributions that Sikh Canadians have made to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric, as well as the richness of the Punjabi language and culture and the Gurmukhi script;

Whereas the month of April is meaningful for the Sikh community around the world;

And whereas, by designing the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month, the Parliament of Canada would provide an opportunity to reflect on, celebrate and educate future generations about the inspirational role that Sikh Canadians have played and continue to play in communities across the country;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1 This Act may be cited as the Sikh Heritage Month Act
2 Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the month of April is to be known as “Sikh Heritage Month”.