Kelowna (November 19, 2018)  The World Sikh Organization of Canada condemns the racist vandalism of the Gurdwara Guru Amardas Darbar Sikh Society in Kelowna, British Columbia.  The racist graffiti was discovered today as a congregation was starting.    

The WSO has been in contact with members of the Guru Amardas Darbar Sikh Society gurdwara, including President Tarsem Singh, and offered support and assistance in dealing with this incident. 

Surrey (November 14, 2018):  The WSO has worked to implement a kirpan accommodation policy with BC Ferries after several Sikh passengers were told they could not wear their kirpans while travelling.

BC Ferries provides transportation for many BC residents who travel between the mainland and coastal and island communities.

Ottawa (November 6, 2018):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is deeply disappointed by the lack of commemoration of the 1984 Sikh Genocide by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as Ontario Premier Doug Ford.  Neither Prime Minister Trudeau nor Premier Ford issued any commemoration of the 1984 Sikh Genocide that is marked by Sikhs across the world during the first week of November.

Ottawa (October 25, 2018):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is deeply disappointed by today’s decision of the Supreme Court of Canada to deny leave to appeal in the case Singh, et al. v. Attorney General of Québec. 

In January 2011, the appellants in the case, Harminder Kaur and Balpreet Singh were part of a WSO delegation that had been invited to make a presentation at the Quebec National Assembly on on Bill 94 which would deny essential government services, public employment to individuals who wear facial coverings. The WSO’s team was excluded from the hearing before the Committee on Institutions because they were wearing the kirpan. The Sikh faith requires initiated men and women to wear the five Sikh articles of faith, including the kirpan, at all times. 

(October 10, 2018): The World Sikh Organization of Canada welcomes today’s announcement by the Ontario Government to, as of October 18, 2018, exempt turbaned Sikh motorcyclists from helmet requirements.

Last week MPP Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria introduced a bill to amend the Highway Traffic Act to exempt turban-wearers from helmet requirements, but the government said Wednesday it would provide the exemption through a regulation.

Ottawa (September 26, 2018):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is holidng orientation sessions for international students in cities across Canada, including Montreal, Ottawa, Brampton, Windsor, Winnipeg and Surrey. 

Canada has welcomed over 500,000 international students who currently study at educational institutions across the country.  India is the source of approximately 25% of all international students in Canada and students from Punjab make up the majority of that number.

Ottawa (September 14, 2018):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is concerned by the invoking of the notwithstanding clause by the Ontario government to uphold Bill 31, The Efficient Local Government Act.

The notwithstanding clause, found in section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms, allows governments to override Charter rights in section 2 or sections 7 through 15 for a period of five years, unless renewed.  While the notwithstanding clause has been used before in Quebec and Saskatchewan, this is the first time it has been invoked in Ontario. 

Ottawa (August 27, 2018):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada condemns the violence that took place Saturday at the Yuba City Gurdwara in California, USA.  Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Manjit Singh GK was assaulted outside the gurdwara.

Montreal (August 20, 2018):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada today called upon the City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec to work far harder to implement concrete measures to break down systemic barriers that make it difficult for Sikhs, and other minorities, to play their full role in Quebec society.

WSO President Mukhbir Singh said that there are over 500,000 Sikhs across Canada representing some 1.5% of the national population and that there are approximately 15,000 Sikhs in Quebec with significant populations in the Montreal Borough of Lasalle and the Cities of Dollard des Ormeaux, Laval, Brossard and Vaudreuil-Dorion. He indicated that many Sikhs in Quebec were born here and that young Sikhs have successfully graduated from Quebec educational institutions and are fluent in French.

“Sadly we note that there are virtually no Sikhs employees in the Montreal and provincial civil services. Moreover, the Montreal police and Surete du Quebec have yet to allow the wearing of the turban and develop hiring policies that could attract otherwise qualified Sikh candidates,” Mr. Singh said.