Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2018-10-04 16:55:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Gary Anandasangaree (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism (Multiculturalism), Lib.)",
        "fr": "M. Gary Anandasangaree (secr\u00e9taire parlementaire du ministre du Patrimoine canadien et du Multiculturalisme (Multiculturalisme), Lib.)"
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"5553735\" data-originallang=\"en\">Mr. Speaker,</p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5553736\">[<em>Member spoke in Punjabi</em>]</p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5656933\">[<em>English</em>]</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553737\" data-originallang=\"en\">I rise today on behalf of our government to add my voice in support of Bill <a data-HoCid=\"9088034\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-376/\" title=\"An Act to designate the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month\">C-376</a>, an act to designate the month of April as Sikh heritage month, which seeks to recognize the enormous contributions of Sikh Canadians from coast to coast to coast.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553738\" data-originallang=\"en\">I acknowledge that I am speaking here on the traditional unceded lands of the Algonquin peoples.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553739\" data-originallang=\"en\">First and foremost, I want to thank my good friend from <a data-HoCid=\"214197\" href=\"/politicians/sukh-dhaliwal/\" title=\"Sukh Dhaliwal\">Surrey\u2014Newton</a> for bringing forward this private member's bill.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553740\" data-originallang=\"en\">Before I speak on the substance of the bill, permit me to share with members the pride and strength of the Sikh community in Scarborough, the area that I represent. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553741\" data-originallang=\"en\">Gursikh Sabha Canada in Scarborough was built by sheer determination, strength and sense of community of a small, but vibrant Sikh community in northeastern Toronto. This community in Scarborough faced the challenges of racism head on. ln building the gurdwara, the community faced opposition, but the community organized and challenged convention that opened the doors for many more places of worship of various faiths to take hold in Scarborough.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553742\" data-originallang=\"en\">Gursikh Sabha celebrated its 30th anniversary recently and I am so grateful for the warmth and generosity extended not just to me but to all my colleagues.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553743\" data-originallang=\"fr\">It is a well-known fact that Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Today, Canada's Sikh population is more than 500,000, making it the second largest Sikh population in the world. Canadians of Sikh descent contribute to Canada's social fabric in many ways and one of their most visible and most influential contributions is <em>seva</em>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553744\" data-originallang=\"en\">Sikhs have been living in Canada for over 120 years and Sikh Canadians have helped build our country from coast to coast to coast, working on the railroads, in the lumber mills, in mines and in farming fields across our great country.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553745\" data-originallang=\"en\">Today, many Sikh Canadians have received international recognition for their work and have established themselves as leaders and trendsetters in their field of expertise. This progress has not been without its challenges.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553746\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Although today Sikh Canadians are seen as an integral part of the Canadian mosaic, this was not always the case.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553747\" data-originallang=\"en\">ln 1914, the <em>Komagata Maru</em>, a Japanese ship carrying Sikhs fleeing India, was turned away by Canadian authorities and was forced to return to lndia where 20 of the more than 300 passengers were killed by British authorities. ln 2016, the <a data-HoCid=\"214296\" href=\"/politicians/justin-trudeau/\" title=\"Justin Trudeau\">Prime Minister</a> apologized to Sikh Canadians on behalf of the Canadian government for this unspeakable act.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553748\" data-originallang=\"en\">It is noteworthy that the same year the <em>Komagata Maru</em> with its passengers, including veterans of the British Indian army, were sent back to India, three young Sikh men enlisted in Smiths Falls, Ontario, to fight in World War I. Their names had been lost to history until very recently, when Private Buckam Singh's grave was discovered in Kitchener and then this year in September, when the names of Lashman Singh and Waryam Singh were added to the cenotaph in Smiths Falls. This dedication to Canada, despite not being accorded basic civil rights, such as the right to vote, should never be forgotten.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553749\" data-originallang=\"en\">Today, Sikh Canadians continue to contribute to every single aspect of our society, from excelling in business to representing Canada at the Olympics to introducing the world to Sikh and Canadian arts and culture.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553750\" data-originallang=\"en\">One of the most visible contributions is right in the House of Commons and other legislatures across the country. Sikh Canadians have attained some of the highest political offices in Canada. I would like to especially mention a few members of our cabinet namely, the <a data-HoCid=\"214311\" href=\"/politicians/harjit-s-sajjan/\" title=\"Harjit S. Sajjan\">Minister of National Defence</a>, the <a data-HoCid=\"241625\" href=\"/politicians/amarjeet-sohi/\" title=\"Amarjeet Sohi\">Minister of Natural Resources</a>, the <a data-HoCid=\"214319\" href=\"/politicians/navdeep-bains/\" title=\"Navdeep Bains\">Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development</a> and the <a data-HoCid=\"224669\" href=\"/politicians/bardish-chagger/\" title=\"Bardish Chagger\">Leader of the Government in the House of Commons</a>, among many other colleagues of the Sikh faith in the chamber.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553751\" data-originallang=\"en\">I wish to personally take this opportunity to thank my good friend from <a data-HoCid=\"214493\" href=\"/politicians/navdeep-bains/\" title=\"Navdeep Bains\">Mississauga\u2014Malton</a>, who is also the <a data-HoCid=\"214319\" href=\"/politicians/navdeep-bains/\" title=\"Navdeep Bains\">Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development</a>, who in many ways opened the door for someone like me to be here. I suspect many of my colleagues will share in the same sentiment.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553752\" data-originallang=\"en\">In 1988, Canada became the first nation to proclaim the Multiculturalism Act. The act requires that we continually safeguard equality for all Canadians, in all economic, social, cultural and political aspects of their lives. Our multicultural heritage is about more than just a commitment to welcoming diverse people from around the world. It is a commitment to principles of equality and freedom, grounded in human rights and enshrined in our legislative frameworks, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, 1988.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553753\" data-originallang=\"en\">This was most evident in the case of Inspector Baltej Singh Dhillon, whom I had the opportunity to meet in person last year, and his quest to serve Canadians by joining the RCMP. As most members of the House will remember, there was a public debate that turned very ugly very quickly. Dhillon never set out to be a hero, or even a poster child for the charter, but in his humble way, he respectfully sought the right to wear a turban in the RCMP. Much hate was propagated against him, but he simply resisted and stood his ground.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553754\" data-originallang=\"en\">At times he was alone, but he was emboldened by the support of his community and his many allies around the country. After some 18 months, the government caved, and in 1991 Baltej Singh Dhillon became the first of many turbaned Sikhs to join the RCMP and many other places where uniforms are required. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553755\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Hundreds of people like Mr. Dhillon have led a subtle fight with quiet confidence and great dignity. Some have defied public perception, while others have brought the fight to Parliament or turned to the Supreme Court of Canada to have their rights recognized. They were not looking to change the course of history. They only wanted our governments to treat them with respect and dignity.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553756\" data-originallang=\"en\">Diversity is a core component of our Canadian identity. Canada is becoming increasingly diverse, which is also reflective of the growing presence of individuals of Sikh heritage across the country. The contributions of Sikh Canadians are vital to the social, economic and political fabric of our nation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553757\" data-originallang=\"en\">Finally, I would like to thank all Sikh Canadians for contributing to our great country. Celebrating our interconnectedness and the many unique communities and cultures that thrive here gives us a chance to discover what we all share in common. This allows us to fully appreciate the value of our differences. In celebrating our diversity, we learn about our common struggles and our shared values. We learn how far we have come, but also what hurdles must still be overcome. We thank the Sikh Canadian community for opening many doors and overcoming many obstacles that have forever changed our country for the better. </p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5553758\">[<em>Member spoke in Punjabi</em>]</p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5656934\">[<em>English</em>]</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"5553735\" data-originallang=\"en\">Monsieur le Pr\u00e9sident, </p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5553736\">[<em>Le d\u00e9put\u00e9 s'exprime en pendjabi.</em>]</p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5656933\">[<em>Traduction</em>]</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553737\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je prends la parole au nom du gouvernement pour ajouter ma voix \u00e0 celles des d\u00e9put\u00e9s favorables au projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"9088034\" href=\"/bills/42-1/C-376/\" title=\"An Act to designate the month of April as Sikh Heritage Month\">C-376</a>, Loi d\u00e9signant le mois d\u2019avril comme Mois du patrimoine sikh, qui vise \u00e0 reconna\u00eetre l'\u00e9norme contribution des Canadiens d'origine sikhe d'un oc\u00e9an \u00e0 l'autre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553738\" data-originallang=\"en\">Je reconnais que je prends la parole ici sur les terres ancestrales et non c\u00e9d\u00e9es des peuples algonquins.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553739\" data-originallang=\"en\">Tout d'abord, je remercie mon bon ami de <a data-HoCid=\"214197\" href=\"/politicians/sukh-dhaliwal/\" title=\"Sukh Dhaliwal\">Surrey\u2014Newton</a> d'avoir pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 ce projet de loi d'initiative parlementaire.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553740\" data-originallang=\"en\">Avant d'en venir \u00e0 la teneur du projet de loi, je me permets de faire conna\u00eetre aux d\u00e9put\u00e9s toute la fiert\u00e9 et la force de la communaut\u00e9 sikhe \u00e0 Scarborough, la r\u00e9gion que je repr\u00e9sente.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553741\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Le temple Gursikh Sabha Canada \u00e0 Scarborough a \u00e9t\u00e9 construit gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 la d\u00e9termination, \u00e0 la force et au sentiment d'appartenance in\u00e9branlables d'une petite, mais dynamique, communaut\u00e9 sikhe du Nord-Est de Toronto. Cette communaut\u00e9 de Scarborough a \u00e9t\u00e9 confront\u00e9e d\u00e8s le d\u00e9but au racisme. En construisant le gurdwara, elle a fait face \u00e0 de l'opposition, mais elle s'est organis\u00e9e et elle a brav\u00e9 les conventions, ouvrant ainsi la voie pour un grand nombre d'autres lieux de culte, toutes confessions religieuses confondues, \u00e0 Scarborough.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553742\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le temple Gursikh Sabha a r\u00e9cemment f\u00eat\u00e9 son 30<sup>e</sup> anniversaire, et je suis tr\u00e8s reconnaissant des mots chaleureux et g\u00e9n\u00e9reux qui ont \u00e9t\u00e9 adress\u00e9s non seulement \u00e0 mon endroit, mais \u00e0 celui de tous mes coll\u00e8gues.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553743\" data-originallang=\"fr\">C'est un fait bien connu que le Canada est l'un des pays les plus diversifi\u00e9s au monde. Aujourd'hui, la population sikhe canadienne d\u00e9passe 500 000 personnes, ce qui en fait la deuxi\u00e8me population sikhe en importance dans le monde. Les Canadiens d'origine sikhe contribuent de nombreuses mani\u00e8res au tissu social canadien, et l'une de leurs contributions les plus visibles et les plus influentes est le <em>seva</em>.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553744\" data-originallang=\"en\">Depuis leur arriv\u00e9e, il y a plus de 120 ans, les Canadiens sikhs contribuent \u00e0 l'\u00e9dification du Canada, dans tous les coins du pays, que ce soit en travaillant sur les chemins de fer, dans les scieries, dans les mines ou dans les champs. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553745\" data-originallang=\"en\">De nos jours, les Canadiens sikhs voient leurs contributions reconnues mondialement et se d\u00e9marquent en tant que leaders et que pionniers de leur champ d'expertise respectif. Leur avanc\u00e9e n'a pas \u00e9t\u00e9 sans difficult\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553746\" data-originallang=\"en\">Certes, de nos jours, les Canadiens sikhs sont consid\u00e9r\u00e9s comme faisant partie int\u00e9grante de la mosa\u00efque canadienne, mais il n'en a pas toujours \u00e9t\u00e9 ainsi. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553747\" data-originallang=\"en\">En 1914, le <em>Komagata Maru</em>, un paquebot japonais transportant des passagers sikhs fuyant l'Inde, a \u00e9t\u00e9 refoul\u00e9 par les autorit\u00e9s canadiennes, qui l'ont forc\u00e9 \u00e0 retourner en Inde, o\u00f9 20 des quelque 300 passagers ont \u00e9t\u00e9 tu\u00e9s par les Britanniques. En 2016, le <a data-HoCid=\"214296\" href=\"/politicians/justin-trudeau/\" title=\"Justin Trudeau\">premier ministre</a> a pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 au nom du gouvernement du Canada des excuses aux Canadiens sikhs pour ce geste inqualifiable. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553748\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il importe de signaler que l'ann\u00e9e o\u00f9 on a renvoy\u00e9 vers l'Inde le <em>Komagata Maru</em> et ses passagers, qui comptaient d'anciens combattants de l'arm\u00e9e indienne britannique, trois jeunes hommes sikhs se sont enr\u00f4l\u00e9s \u00e0 Smith Falls, en Ontario, pour faire la Premi\u00e8re Guerre mondiale. Leur identit\u00e9 \u00e9tait inconnue jusqu'\u00e0 ce qu'on d\u00e9couvre, tout r\u00e9cemment, la tombe du soldat Buckham Singh \u00e0 Kitchener et qu'on inscrive, en septembre dernier, les noms de Lashman Singh et de Waryam Singh sur le c\u00e9notaphe de Smith Falls. Nous ne devrions jamais oublier le d\u00e9vouement dont ils ont fait preuve envers le Canada, malgr\u00e9 le fait qu'il ne leur accordait aucun droit civil fondamental, comme le droit de vote.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553749\" data-originallang=\"en\">Aujourd'hui, les Canadiens de confession sikhe continuent de contribuer \u00e0 toutes les sph\u00e8res de la soci\u00e9t\u00e9, qu'il s'agisse d'exceller en affaires, de repr\u00e9senter le Canada aux Jeux olympiques ou de faire conna\u00eetre la culture et les arts sikhs et canadiens dans le monde.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553750\" data-originallang=\"en\">Une de leurs contributions les plus visibles se trouve ici, \u00e0 la Chambre des communes, de m\u00eame que dans d'autres assembl\u00e9es l\u00e9gislatives partout au pays. Les Canadiens sikhs occupent des fonctions politiques parmi les plus \u00e9lev\u00e9es au Canada. J'aimerais mentionner plus particuli\u00e8rement quelques membres du Cabinet actuel, \u00e0 savoir le <a data-HoCid=\"214311\" href=\"/politicians/harjit-s-sajjan/\" title=\"Harjit S. Sajjan\">ministre de la D\u00e9fense nationale</a>, le <a data-HoCid=\"241625\" href=\"/politicians/amarjeet-sohi/\" title=\"Amarjeet Sohi\">ministre des Ressources naturelles</a>, le <a data-HoCid=\"214319\" href=\"/politicians/navdeep-bains/\" title=\"Navdeep Bains\">ministre de l'Innovation, des Sciences et du D\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique</a> et la <a data-HoCid=\"224669\" href=\"/politicians/bardish-chagger/\" title=\"Bardish Chagger\">leader du gouvernement \u00e0 la Chambre des communes</a>, qui figurent parmi de nombreux autres coll\u00e8gues de confession sikhe \u00e0 la Chambre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553751\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'aimerais profiter de cette occasion personnellement pour remercier mon bon ami de <a data-HoCid=\"214493\" href=\"/politicians/navdeep-bains/\" title=\"Navdeep Bains\">Mississauga\u2014Malton</a>, qui est \u00e9galement le <a data-HoCid=\"214319\" href=\"/politicians/navdeep-bains/\" title=\"Navdeep Bains\">ministre de l'Innovation, des Sciences et du D\u00e9veloppement \u00e9conomique</a>. Il a, \u00e0 bien des \u00e9gards, ouvert la voie et permis \u00e0 quelqu'un comme moi d'\u00eatre ici. Je pense qu'un bon nombre de mes coll\u00e8gues seront aussi de cet avis.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553752\" data-originallang=\"en\">En 1988, le Canada a \u00e9t\u00e9 le premier pays \u00e0 promulguer une loi sur le multiculturalisme. Cette loi nous oblige \u00e0 promouvoir constamment l'\u00e9galit\u00e9 entre tous les Canadiens, dans tous les aspects de leur vie, aussi bien \u00e9conomiques que sociaux, culturels et politiques. Notre patrimoine multiculturel repr\u00e9sente plus qu'un engagement \u00e0 accueillir des gens de diverses origines et de partout dans le monde. C'est un engagement \u00e0 honorer les principes d'\u00e9galit\u00e9 et de libert\u00e9, ancr\u00e9s dans les droits de la personne et inscrits dans nos cadres l\u00e9gislatifs, y compris la Charte canadienne des droits et libert\u00e9s et la Loi de 1988 sur le multiculturalisme canadien.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553753\" data-originallang=\"en\">Cet engagement \u00e9tait particuli\u00e8rement \u00e9vident dans le cas de l'inspecteur Baltej Singh Dhillon, que j'ai pu rencontrer en personne l'ann\u00e9e derni\u00e8re, lorsqu'il a voulu servir les Canadiens en se joignant \u00e0 la GRC. La plupart des d\u00e9put\u00e9s se rappelleront qu'il \u00e9tait au coeur d'un d\u00e9bat public qui a rapidement d\u00e9g\u00e9n\u00e9r\u00e9. M. Dhillon n'a jamais cherch\u00e9 \u00e0 \u00eatre un h\u00e9ros ni m\u00eame \u00e0 se faire le d\u00e9fenseur de la Charte. Cependant, il a humblement et respectueusement demand\u00e9 le droit de porter le turban \u00e0 la GRC. Il a d\u00fb faire face \u00e0 une vague de haine, mais il simplement tenu bon et d\u00e9fendu sa position.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553754\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il se sentait parfois seul, mais le soutien de sa communaut\u00e9 et de ses nombreux alli\u00e9s partout au pays l'encourageait. Apr\u00e8s quelque 18 mois, le gouvernement a c\u00e9d\u00e9. Ainsi, en 1991, Baltej Singh Dhillon est devenu le premier d'un grand nombre de sikhs portant le turban \u00e0 se joindre \u00e0 la GRC et \u00e0 une foule d'autres corps de m\u00e9tier qui imposent le port d'un uniforme.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553755\" data-originallang=\"fr\">Des centaines de gens comme M. Dhillon ont livr\u00e9 une lutte discr\u00e8te avec une assurance tranquille et une grande dignit\u00e9. Certains l'ont men\u00e9e en affrontant la perception du public, tandis que d'autres l'ont men\u00e9e au Parlement ou en se tournant vers la Cour supr\u00eame du Canada pour faire reconna\u00eetre leurs droits. Ils ne voulaient pas changer le cours de l'histoire, ils voulaient seulement que nos gouvernements les traitent avec respect et dignit\u00e9.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553756\" data-originallang=\"en\">La diversit\u00e9 est une facette incontournable de l'identit\u00e9 canadienne. Le Canada se diversifie d'ailleurs de plus en plus. On note, par exemple, un nombre croissant de Canadiens d'origine sikhe partout au pays, et ils apportent une contribution essentielle au tissu social, \u00e9conomique et politique de notre nation.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"5553757\" data-originallang=\"en\">En conclusion, je remercie tous les Canadiens sikhs de ce qu'ils apportent \u00e0 notre merveilleux pays. Lorsque nous c\u00e9l\u00e9brons les liens qui nous unissent et les multiples communaut\u00e9s et cultures qui s'\u00e9panouissent ici, toutes diff\u00e9rentes les unes des autres, nous d\u00e9couvrons du m\u00eame coup ce que nous avons tous en commun. C'est l'occasion d'appr\u00e9cier toute la valeur de nos diff\u00e9rences. C\u00e9l\u00e9brer notre diversit\u00e9 nous fait d\u00e9couvrir nos d\u00e9fis communs et les valeurs que nous avons en partage. Nous prenons conscience de tout le chemin que nous avons parcouru et des d\u00e9fis qu'il reste encore \u00e0 relever. Nous remercions la communaut\u00e9 canadienne sikhe pour toutes les portes qu'elle a ouvertes et les nombreux d\u00e9fis qu'elle a surmont\u00e9s, car ils ont \u00e0 jamais fait du Canada un pays meilleur.</p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5553758\">[<em>Le d\u00e9put\u00e9 s'exprime en pendjabi.</em>]</p>\n<p class=\"procedural\" data-HoCid=\"5656934\">[<em>Traduction</em>]</p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2018/10/4/gary-anandasangaree-1/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/gary-anandasangaree/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/4282/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "10291098",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Private Members' Business",
        "fr": "Affaires \u00c9manant Des D\u00e9put\u00e9s"
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Sikh Heritage Month Act",
        "fr": "Loi sur le Mois du patrimoine sikh"
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2018/10/4/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2018%2F10%2F4%2F"
    }
}