Honourable colleagues, I rise today to speak in support of Bill C-376, An Act to designate the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month.

Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside of India. Sikhs have a long and deep-rooted history in Canada, dating back to 1867 when it was believed that the first known Sikh, Major Kesur Singh, settled in Vancouver, British Columbia.

As a senator from Montreal, I can appreciate the pride and success of our Sikh community. It is small but vibrant and has made a huge contribution to the fibre of Montreal. And I know how important the Sikh community is across British Columbia as well, and right across the country.

Although one of the first and largest Sikh communities was established in the Vancouver area, there were also Sikh pioneers who settled in Victoria, the interior of B.C. and, of course, the lower Fraser Valley, which includes Abbotsford, Mission and Chilliwack.

For over 120 years, Sikh pioneers have played an important role in Canada’s nation building and have made significant contributions to the Canadian economy, to our multicultural fabric and to the political landscape of Canada. Records show that the earlier wave of immigrants worked in lumber mills, in forestry and farming, and in building the historic Canadian Pacific Railway.

Like many Canadians who responded to the call of duty in 1914 when World War I began, a group of Sikhs, men who had immigrated to Canada from India, enlisted in the Canadian Army, ready to serve. These soldiers selflessly fought alongside their fellow Canadian brothers in arms for freedom and democracy.

Sikhs are known for their welcoming spirit and promotion of human rights. They are advocates of freedom of religion and equality, particularly the equality of men and women. Moreover, they are called upon by their faith to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of justice and service to others.

In 1908, the first historic Sikh gurdwara, or place of worship, was established in the Fraser Valley. This magnificent monument is a true testament of the strength, dedication and perseverance of the Sikh community. Today, the Abbotsford gurdwara remains the oldest surviving gurdwara in North America and reminds us of the immigrant experience of Sikhs in Canada and is a true symbol of their faith and spirituality.

April is a significant month in the Sikh community. It is the month in which Vaisakhi, a religious and historical festival, marks the new year. Vaisakhi commemorates the founding of the Sikh community in 1699 and is referred to as the Khalsa under Guru Gobind Singh. It is a time when Sikh families and friends come together and celebrate the spring harvest festival, often with parades and special processions throughout the streets. Gurdwaras, or Sikh places of worship, hold kirtans, which include the devotional singing of scriptures and legends.

I have yet to participate in this wonderful activity in Vancouver, but I understand it is quite a celebration. I hope that very soon I will have the pleasure of attending a Vaisakhi parade during the month of April in Vancouver to celebrate the Punjabi and Sikh new year.

Fortunately, my friend and colleague Senator Yonah Martin has attended a large number of these events throughout the years and this weekend will be attending this year’s Vancouver Vaisakhi festival with the Honourable Andrew Scheer, Member of Parliament Alice Wong, and many others.

To quote my colleague in the other place, Member of Parliament Bob Saroya, when speaking to this bill in the House of Commons, the designation of April as Sikh heritage month “would provide Sikhs and Canadians alike with 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 Canada.”

Both our former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and current Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer have expressed their support of the Sikh communities across Canada and the importance of preserving Sikh heritage in Canada.

Honourable senators, I am proud to support this bill along with my colleagues the Honourable Senator Yonah Martin and the Honourable Senator Salma Ataullahjan, who is our friendly critic of this bill. I would like to commend her and Sabi Marwah, sponsor of the bill in the Senate, as well as Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal, the initiator of the bill in the House of Commons, and of course Bob Saroya from the House of Commons, another friendly critic of the bill, for all their hard work and determination in moving this bill forward.

I ask all honourable senators to join us in supporting Bill C-376, which will officially declare April as Sikh heritage month and celebrate the wonderful contribution the Sikh community has made to Canada.