Ottawa (January 3, 2020):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada condemns the attack on Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Sri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, today.  Gurdwara Janam Asthan is the birth place of the founder of the Sikh faith, Sri Guru Nanak Dev.

According to reports, a mob of protestors surrounded and pelted stones at Gurdwara Janam Asthan today.  Sikhs celebrating the birth gurpurab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh were stranded inside the gurdwara.  Members of the mob were also recorded threatening to evict all Sikhs from Nanakana Sahib and to build a mosque in place of the historical gurdwara. 

Toronto (December 18, 2019):  The WSO and several community organizations, including the Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs (CIJA), National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), Bahá’í Community of Canada and The Mosaic Institute, have written to Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott, calling for the accommodation of Sikh paramedics and others who maintain beards as a part of their religious observance. 

Ottawa (December 12, 2019):  Following the release of a CBC News report entitled “Transport Canada investigates ‘racist’ song shared in no-fly list office 10 years after the fact”, the WSO has written to Transport Minister Marc Garneau expressing concern over the way the matter was handled.

According to the story, only last year, an official from Transport Canada looked into whether a racist email that was shared internally in 2008, undermined the integrity of Transport Canada’s involvement in the no-fly list program.

Ottawa (October 22, 2019):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada offers congratulations to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on being re-elected in Canada's 43rd general election.  The Liberal Party of Canada will return to Parliament Hill with a minority government. 

Ottawa – (October 7, 2019) The World Sikh Organization of Canada held its biennial convention on Saturday October 5, 2019 in Ottawa.  WSO delegates from across Canada gathered to discuss current challenges facing Canadian Sikhs and to select Tejinder Singh Sidhu as the next President of the organization. 

Calgary (September 30, 2019):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada welcomes the passing of a Resolution against Quebec’s Bill 21 by Calgary City Council.  The Resolution states, “BE IT RESOLVED that Calgary City Council Oppose Quebec’s Bill 21 and continue to support building a welcoming city where everyone has access to opportunity and prosperity.”

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Montréal (le 15 août 2019) : L’Organisation mondiale des Sikhs du Canada et sa vice-présidente pour le Québec, Mme Amrit Kaur, ont annoncé aujourd’hui qu’ils se joignent à la contestation judiciaire de la Loi sur la laïcité de l’État. En déposant leur acte d’intervention, l’Organisation mondiale des Sikhs du Canada et Mme Kaur demandent à intervenir à titre de parties à l’instance qui avait été introduite par l’Association canadienne des libertés civiles, le Conseil national des musulmans canadiens et Mme Ichrak Nourel Hak.

Ottawa (August 5, 2019):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is deeply concerned by the Government of India’s revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Article 370 gave the State of Jammu & Kashmir the right to its own constitution and decision-making processes for all matters except defence, communications and foreign affairs.  Article 370 dates back to 1949 when Kashmir agreed to become part of the Indian Union on the condition that it would retain a degree of autonomy.

Ottawa (June 19, 2019):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is shocked by the silence of Canadian federal leaders over the passing of Bill 21- An Act respecting the laicity of the State by the Coalition Avenir Quebec government banning the wearing of religious symbols.  Bill 21 restricts the wearing of ‘religious symbols’ by public servants in positions of authority such as police officers, judges, prosecutors and also school teachers and principals, among others.  The Government of Quebec has also invoked the notwithstanding clause, allowing it to override freedom of religion protections enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms. 

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Montreal (June 17, 2019):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is deeply saddened by the passing of Bill 21- An Act respecting the laicity of the State by the Coalition Avenir Quebec government banning the wearing of religious symbols.  The Bill was passed in a rare late-night vote on Sunday after the Government of Quebec invoked closure to prematurely end debate.  The Government of Quebec has also invoked the notwithstanding clause, allowing it to override freedom of religion protections enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms.