House security chief honoured by Sikh organization for defending right to wear religious dagger last year

Overlooked amid all the usual promises of improved decorum and tone in the House of Commons as MPs elected a new Speaker Thursday was this story about Kevin Vickers.

Mr. Vickers, 54, is the sergeant-at-arms in the Commons - perhaps familiar to some Canadians as the tall man in black carrying the mace into the House. Appointed in 2006, he oversees the security of the parliamentary precinct and sits quietly in his seat in the chamber when the Commons is in session. Read more »

Leadership requires the willingness to take unpopular positions. Michael Ignatieff showed that willingness this week when he went to Quebec and defended Sikhs’ right to wear the kirpan, a ceremonial dagger, in the Quebec National Assembly and other legislative buildings in Canada.

It seemed almost brave of him to do so. But can that be? Does it now take bravery to speak up for a minority group in Canada? If so, is Mr. Ignatieff the only brave leader? Is leadership in such short supply? Read more »

Vancouver — From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
Published on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 10:03PM EST
Last updated on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 4:18AM EST

Nineteen-year-old Gursimran Kaur puts gender equality and fighting domestic violence at the top of her agenda as a new member of the management committee at one of the largest Sikh temples in North America. Read more »