2016 World Sikh Organization of Canada PRESIDENT S REPORT
Our Vision The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, and social and economic status. Our Objectives The WSO of Canada was registered with the Government of Canada as a non-profit organization and has the following primary national objectives: to foster understanding and good will towards all nations, creeds, persuasions and faiths; to act as a representative body and spokes-body of the Sikhs of Canada and help resolve differences amongst members and member organizations; to liaise with government and non-government agencies and to apprise them of the interests of the Sikhs; to encourage, develop and maintain close relationships with similar and like-minded organizations throughout Canada; to do all such things not inconsistent with the doctrines and ethics of Sikhism and the law of the land as are conducive to the attainment of the objectives of the World Sikh Organization of Canada. Our Work To achieve our mission, we believe in working quietly and diligently. We are primarily a legal advocacy organization, using our expertise in law we have achieved precedent setting victories in our policy work, our tribunal victories, and our Supreme Court of Canada successes. We also work hard to make a difference through our community initiatives, and social justice ventures. We work for not just Sikh interests, but also to promote human rights for all individuals. EXECUTIVES Mukhbir Singh (President) Jasbir Kaur Randhawa (Senior VP) Sukhpreet Singh (VP British Columbia) Tejinder Singh Sidhu (VP Alberta) Jasbeer Singh (VP Central Canada) Prabhmeet Singh Sarkaria (VP ) Amrit Kaur (VP Quebec & Atlantic Canada) Jagdeep Singh Mann (Director of Finance) Rupinder Kaur Dhaliwal (Director of Administration) STAFF & ADVISORS Palbinder Kaur Shergill (General Counsel) Balpreet Singh Boparai (Legal Counsel) Jaskaran Singh Sandhu (Director of Development) Gian Singh Sandhu (Senior Policy Advisor) Amanpreet Singh Bal (Policy Advisor) Sandeep Singh Sahota (IT) BOARD MEMBERS In Canada, the WSO has a National Assembly of Executive Members representing five regions in Canada. Amrit Kaur Gurleen Kaur Sidhu Gurjiwan Singh Avneet Kaur Dhanoa Gursharn Kaur Gill Jaskaran Singh Sandhu Gurpreet Singh Bal Ranjit Singh Dulay Kirpa Kaur Shajinder Singh Ram Raghbir Singh Chahal Sukhman Kaur Hehar Sandeep Singh Sidhu Jasbeer Singh Tegbir Singh Bajwa Gugan Kaur Manraj Kaur Poonia Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill Palwinder Singh Sidhu Rupinderjit Singh Kahlon Aman Singh Hundal Quebec Alberta Alberta Alberta Alberta 1
President's Report Dear supporters, I am pleased to share the World Sikh Organization of Canada s 2016 Annual Report with you, our friends and partners. We list our achievements and initiatives, describe the deepening of our relationships and recount the source of pride of volunteering for an organization whose primary aim is Sarbat da Bhalla (the welfare of all). In many ways, looking back is a way to consider and make sense of where we are now and where we are headed in the future. When I consider our past year, I can think of a host of great successes. Our organization has grown and transitioned to a new board. Through this, we ve extended the depth, reach, and influence of our legal work, community outreach and networks. In all of these areas, we have grown bolder and are now speaking to audiences that, in years past, we did not have the opportunity to engage. In recounting our successes, I would be remised if we did not mention the challenges faced. These have come from mainly a transition to a new younger board, but also because of genuine efforts at experimentation. There are projects and initiatives that didn t come off in the way we d hoped or took longer to develop than expected. But, with both the good and the bad, we ve seen that the need for WSO remains and hope you will continue to support our organization into the future. Reflecting on the state of Canadian Sikhs, on the host of social challenges before us workers facing discrimination due to their articles of faith, misrepresentation of Canadian Sikh values and views, a diverse education system, an increasing marginalization of religious voices in the public square a voice for Canadian Sikhs that can offer well-reasoned responses that represent the voice of the community is needed now more than ever. We are pleased to report on the recent accomplishments of the World Sikh Organization of Canada. We have remained focused on the five priorities set out in our nation objectives, which are: to foster understanding and good will towards all nations, creeds, persuasions and faiths; to act as a representative body and spokes-body of the Sikhs of Canada and help resolve differences amongst members and member organizations; to liaise with government and non-government agencies and to apprise them of the interests of the Sikhs; 2
to encourage, develop and maintain close relationships with similar and like-minded organizations throughout Canada; to do all such things not inconsistent with the doctrines and ethics of Sikhism and the law of the land as are conducive to the attainment of the objectives of the World Sikh Organization of Canada. This report describes many of the projects WSO initiated in 2016. My involvement with this organization has allowed me to connect with Canadians across the country this has been a truly humbling experience. The feedback and support that we ve received this year continues to fuel our work going forward. I am proud to report that WSO continues to be a representative body and the only national Sikh organization with active volunteers from coast-to-coast. In 2016, the WSO was a leading advocate on behalf of Canadian Sikh community. We are regularly approached by members of the community facing legal issues with respect to human rights or Sikh articles of faith. WSO worked with NHL arenas across Canada to develop and implement kirpan accommodation policies. We worked with Synchro Canada to ensure a young Sikh swimmer could wear her kara during synchronized swimming tournaments. We assisted a young Canadian Sikh at the World Karate Federation tournament in Croatia to compete while wearing his patka, when he was told it would not be permitted. WSO intervened in several situations this year where Sikh travellers were improperly screened at Canadian airports and faced aggressive searches or improperly trained screening agents. In Montreal, WSO reached out to security at the city s courthouses to ensure that Sikhs wearing the kirpan could attend court proceedings freely following the introduction of new airportstyle screening platforms. We have continued to foster understanding and good will towards all nations, creeds, persuasions and faiths while working organizations such as the Office of Human Rights, Freedom and Inclusion, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Canadian Interfaith Conversation, Peel School Board Faith Forward, Human Rights Commission, etc. WSO is proud to be a sponsor of the Cardus Foundation's Faith in Canada 150 initiative. This initiative is in commemoration of Canada's 150 th anniversary and role of faith in Canada. WSO's legal counsel Balpreet Singh serves as Co-Chair of the Cabinet of Canadians and is joined on the Cabinet by Palbinder Kaur Shergill and myself. WSO's KarmaGrow initiative grew this year to include community gardens in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Surrey. The WSO hosted the second annual Sikh Youth Leadership Institute in Ottawa in which, after taking part in a rigorous application process, twenty Sikh youths between the ages of 18-25, from across Canada, including 3
Newfoundland, Quebec,, Alberta and British Columbia, were selected to take part in the program. Participants received leadership training in emotional intelligence, advocacy, community building and social justice. We were joined by power panels of leading Sikh business executives, politicians and advocates. WSO also introduced two soft launches in 2016 with the Jaswant Singh Khalra competition and Sikh Family Helpline. The Sikh Family Helpline has begun offering culturally appropriate social services to Sikhs in Canada. The 1-800 number is available to call across Canada and callers can leave their details and be contacted by trained Sikh volunteers and guided with respect to addressing various social, health and legal issues WSO also launched the Turban,Eh imitative in Calgary and Edmonton this year where Sikh volunteers tied turbans on all those interested in getting a turban tied and in the process provided a background on the Sikh faith and significance of the turban. We will be expanding this initiative to cities across Canada in 2017 The staff and Board members made significant and important contributions to our organization. Our volunteers continued to build the capacity of the organization to better serve our community. I want to thank the WSO members for their supportive, thoughtful, and always positive discussion surrounding issues. The Board has expressed genuine gratitude for the members work over the past year. It is an honour to do this work, and to join forces in this cause with outstanding partners across Canada and worldwide. To all of you, I extend my deepest thanks. Mukhbir Mukhbir Singh President World Sikh Organization of Canada 4
WSO in 2016 As we close 2016, we reflect back on what was truly a transformative year in the history of the World Sikh Organization of Canada. In February, WSO held its Biennial Convention and elected a new board that for the first time was lead by Canadian Sikh youth. WSO selected Mukhbir Singh to serve as President for the next term. Mukhbir Singh was born and raised in Montreal and heads a board that is the youngest board in WSO's history with over 2/3 of Directors being under the age of 40. WSO's Legal & Advocacy Work In 2016 the WSO was a leading advocate on behalf of the Canadian Sikh community. We are regularly approached by members of the community facing legal issues with respect to human rights or Sikh articles of faith. Below are just a few examples of WSO's legal advocacy this past year: WSO worked with NHL arenas across Canada to develop and implement kirpan accommodation policies. With new airportstyle security being introduced to arenas, WSO was approached by several concerned Sikhs and as a result we began dialogue with each NHL arena in Canada to ensure that initiated or amritdhari Sikhs would face no problems. In March, we announced that the accommodation policies had been finalized and Sikhs could visit NHL arenas without issue. Please see http://www.worldsikh.org/press_releases_2?page=2 Assistance to young Sikhs in competitive sports: this year we were approached by young Sikhs in competitive sports tournaments about accommodations for their articles of faith. We worked with Synchro Canada to ensure a young Sikh swimmer could wear her kara during synchronized swimming tournaments. We also assisted a young Canadian Sikh at the World Karate Federation tournament in Croatia to compete while wearing his patka, when he was told it would not be permitted. Accommodation of the kirpan at Edmonton High School: WSO helped Sahib Singh Bains return to high school in Edmonton after he was told his kirpan was a weapon and would not be permitted in class. Sahib Singh, 16, was approached by his school's principal who told him that the kirpan is a restricted weapon and he would have to turn the kirpan over to him immediately. WSO intervened and ensured he could freely wear his kirpan and the principal apologized after being educated on the significance of the kirpan. 5
Assisting Sikhs Facing Issues at Airports: WSO intervened in several situations this year where Sikh travellers were improperly screened at Canadian airports and faced aggressive searches or improperly trained screening agents. Accommodation of the Kirpan at Montreal Courthouses: WSO reached out to security at Montreal's courthouses to ensure that Sikhs wearing the kirpan could attend court proceedings freely. Community Outreach WSO marked Valentine s Day, and the One Billion Rising day of action, by serving women shelters across Canada, including Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal. WSO's KarmaGrow initiative grew this year to include community gardens in Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Surrey. Volunteers of various ages and backgrounds came to grow produce for local food banks, providing local communities with opportunities for: o Physical activity o Food skills and literacy o Social connectivity o Intergenerational interactions o Interfaith engagement The WSO hosted the second annual Sikh Youth Leadership Institute in August 2016 in which, after taking part in a rigorous application process, twenty Sikh youths between the ages of 18-25, from across Canada, including Newfoundland, Quebec,, Alberta and British Columbia, were selected to take part in the program. Participants gathered in Ottawa from August 12 to 15 to receive leadership training in emotional intelligence, advocacy, community building and social justice. We were joined by power panels of leading Sikh business executives, politicians and advocates who mentor and advised participants on an ongoing basis. WSO took part in various seminars, panel discussions, interfaith meetings and events as well as helped conduct training for employers and service providers across Canada including the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Bar Association, Canadian Interfaith Conversation, Peel School Board Faith Forward, Legal Aid, Human Rights Commission, etc. WSO is proud to be a sponsor of the Cardus Foundation's Faith in Canada 150 initiative. This initiative is in commemoration of Canada's 150th anniversary and role of faith in Canada. WSO's legal counsel Balpreet Singh serves as Co-Chair of the Cabinet of Canadians and is joined on the Cabinet by leading Canadians from various faiths including our own Mukhbir Singh and Palbinder Kaur Shergill. 6
Turban, Eh! : WSO launched the Turban,Eh initiative in Calgary and Edmonton this year where Sikh volunteers tied turbans on all those interested in getting a turban tied and in the process provided a background on the Sikh faith and significance of the turban. We will be expanding this initiative to cities across Canada in 2017 Sikh Family Helpline: WSO soft-launched the Sikh Family Helpline in the fall of 2016 offering culturally appropriate social services to Sikhs in Canada. The 1-800 number is available to call across Canada and callers can leave their details and be contacted by trained Sikh volunteers and guided with respect to addressing various social, health and legal issues. Media WSO was quoted in: Toronto Star, C, CTV, Globe & Mail, National Post, Vancouver Sun, Province, Montreal Gazette, Huffington Post and others. Some of the issues WSO was consulted on were: o Immigration policy o Anti-Sikh attacks o Social issues Social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, website Our social media presence has grown tremendously this year. Facebook page had several posts and videos go viral with our page likes increasing to almost 15,000. Multiple television interviews with CTV, C, and others, on numerous topics concerning the Sikh community. Authored over 20 press releases and op-eds, which were picked up and circulated in various media outlets. 7
UAlberta Racist Anti-Sikh Posters One incident that deserves special attention is the media firestorm surrounding WSO's response to racist anti-sikh posters that appeared at the University of Alberta in the fall of 2016. The poster titled FU*K YOUR TURBAN features a picture of a turbaned Sikh man and states, "If you're so obsessed with your third-world culture, go the fu*k back to where you came from!" Approximately a dozen posters appeared on the University of Alberta campus. The posters feature a link to the website ImmigrationWatchCanada.org. Similar posters from the group Immigration Watch Canada previously appeared at York University in Toronto and in Brampton, in 2014. WSO in collaboration with the Univeristy of Alberta Sikh Students Association and U of A Students Union organized "Turban, Eh!" in which hundreds of students, staff and community members had turbans tied and learned more about the Sikh faith and Sikhs in Canada. The coverage received by the incident and WSO's constructive and positive response was overwhelming with interviews with every major Canadian news outlet and even international media like Al Jazeera and Huffington Post featuring stories. In 2017 we will be expanding the Turban,Eh! event to cities across Canada, in conjunction with Canada Day and the celebration of Canada's 150th sesquicentennial. What better way to celebrate Canada than to share the story of Sikhs in Canada and to foster our Canadian values of diversity and inclusion? 8
2016 WSO President s Report 1181 Cecil Avenue Ottawa, K1H 7Z6 P: (416)-904-9110 www.worldsikh.org 9