The Word Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) welcomes Canada Immigration & Citizenship (CIC) Minister, The Hon. Diane Finley's statement clarifying that Sikh applicants for immigration will not be required to change their surnames of "Singh" and "Kaur".

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) expresses its concern and disappointment over Canadian immigration policy forbidding Sikh immigration-applicants from using their names of Singh or Kaur.

It came to light in July 2007 that there had been a ban on the use of the last names Singh and Kaur preventing people with those lasts names from immigrating to Canada. A spokeperson for Canadian Citizenship and Immigration confirmed that the ban had been in place for a decade. Immediately after this news became public, the World Sikh Organization sent the following letter to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration for Canada. The policy was subsequently withdrawn.

The World Sikh Organization (WSO) shares its disappointment with fellow Canadians, that potentially crucial testimony regarding the AI-182 disaster on June 23, 1985 cannot be heard due to fears for the safety of the witnesses.

The World Sikh Organization is pleased with VIA Rail's agreement to finally permit devout Sikh passengers to travel while keeping their articles of faith intact. The changes in policy made by VIA Rail and instituted on January 12, 2007, recognize the significance of the Sikh code of conduct mandated for all practicing Sikhs.

Ottawa - As an intervener in the Air India Inquiry, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) made an opening statement outlining today presented information regarding the Sikh community to the Air India Inquiry, and requested vigilance in the terminology employed to discuss the events surrounding Air India, flight 182. Stating that the tendency to use phrases such as 'Sikh terrorism' and 'Sikh extremists' is inaccurate - as the vast majority of the Sikh community is made up of peaceful, law abiding members of society who ought not to be branded as terrorists or as extremists." Said WSO legal counsel Alex Sabharwal. The WSO recommended that such language be avoided, not only because such notions are factually incorrect, but also because the use of these terms is offensive to the values of equality and multiculturalism on which Canadian society is built.