Discrimination

Have You Experienced Discrimination?

If you have experienced discrimination, please read the Discrimination Guide's section on dealing with discrimination.

You should also contact us to report the incident. 

Discrimination

Note: This is intended to be only a guide, and should not be viewed as a substitute for legal advice.

A How To Guide: Dealing with Discrimination

Obama Head-Covering Controversy Unnecessary: WSO

Ottawa October 20, 2010:  The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is disappointed to learn that US President Barack Obama may cancel his visit to Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple)  in Amritsar India due to concerns over the Sikh tradition of covering the head.  While all people, regardless of background, religion, gender or class are welcome to visit Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship), visitors must cover their heads as per Sikh tradition. Read more »

My, how we have changed

My, how we have changed
Surrey Now
03/08/2010
SPECIAL TO THE SURREY NOW
by: 
SARBJIT S. SABHARWAL

When he was a boy, his classmates threw eggs at him the first day he worea turban to school. Today, Sarj, as he’s known to his friends, is moved to tears when he thinks about how his beloved city has grown to embrace his culture.

SURREY – July was such a big month as far as celebrations go. It’s really is the start of summer, as the weather really warms up around this time. 

We also have some of Surrey’s biggest events happen during the month of July. Specifically, I am talking about the City of Surrey’s Canada Day celebration and the Fusion Festival.  Read more »

World Sikh Organization of Canada Offers Services Free Across Canada

Date: April 6, 2010

Time: 12:00pm

We would like to thank all of you for attending this Press Conference today, which is being held by the World Sikh Organization of Canada.

Let me first begin with the Introductions. My name is Gurdit Singh. I am the Vice President of BC region for WSO of Canada. With me I have Prem Singh Vinning the current President of the WSO Canada and Balpreet Singh Boparai, in house legal counsel for the WSO.

I will turn the stage to Balpreet Singh . Read more »

Dealing with Discrimination

Dealing with Discrimination | Legal Cases | Sikh MPs | Sikh MLAs/MPPs | Other Canadian Parliamentary Resources

HOW TO GUIDE: DEALING WITH DISCRIMINATION
What is Discrimination?

Note: This is intended to be only a guide, and should not be viewed as a substitute for legal advice. Read more »

Vanoc permits Sikhs to wear kirpans at 2010 Winter Games venues

VANCOUVER (October 15, 2009) – To ease access to 2010 VancouverOlympic and Paralympic Games events for those adhering to Sikh religious tenets, the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (V2010 ISU) has developedguidelines that enable the wearing of the kirpan as an article of faith for initiatedor Amritdhari Sikhs.

The new guidelines were developed in consultation with representatives of theSikh community to ensure those who carry the kirpan as part of their religious practice are able to attend Olympic and Paralympic events. Read more »

Respect diversity, accept the kirpans

What is all the fuss about kirpans?
Calgary Herald
05/08/2009
by: 
Naomi Lakritz

What is all the fuss about kirpans? And why did they suddenly become an issue at Gurdas Maan's concert at the Telus Convention Centre when they've never been an issue at public venues in Calgary before? Read more »

Sikhs want apology from convention centre over kirpan issue

Sikhs want apology from convention centre over kirpan issue
Calgary Sun
05/08/2009
by: 
Tarina White

The World Sikh Organization of Canada is calling on Calgary Telus Convention Centre management to apologize for shutting down a concert after some ticket holders refused to remove their ceremonial daggers.

Jasbeer Singh, spokesman for the World Sikh Organization of Canada, yesterday said he's furious about the decision because the Supreme Court of Canada has already ruled that banning kirpans infringes on Charter guarantees of religious freedom. Read more »

Ethnic Minorities Continue to Face Employment Challenges in Canada

Ottawa (May 21, 2009) – The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) expresses its deep concern over a CBC report in ‘The National’ on May 20, 2009 indicating the severe degree of discrimination faced by Canadians with non Anglo-Saxon names, as they seek to join Canada’s work force.

Long believed to be the case, it has now been factually and statistically established very credibly by the University of British Columbia, that people with non-English names are 40% less likely to be called for an interview. Read more »

World Sikh Organization Welcomes Passport Canada Apology

The Word Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) welcomes the announcement by Passport Canada that they will be offering an apology and issuing travel documents to the Sidhu family of Surrey, British Columbia. The Sidhu children's passport applications had been rejected due to the wearing of Sikh religious head-gear. Read more »

World Sikh Organization Welcomes CIC Name Change Policy

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".

However, it is unclear whether the policy requiring Sikhs with the last names Kaur and Singh, to provide a third name, has only been modified, or completely abolished. "The policy of Canada's New Government is that applicants with the surnames "Singh" or "Kaur" may, but are not required to, provide an additional surname." Read more »

DECADE LONG IMMIGRATION BAN ON SINGH/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. Read more »

VIA RAIL ON A BETTER TRACK

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. Read more »

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