Contemporary Issues In Canada

History, Culture, Politics, And/Or The Workplace.

Multiculturalism and inclusion of minorities: Sikhs value Canada’s multicultural policies but feel more needs to be done to combat racism, prejudice and discrimination. Sikhs have advocated for greater recognition and accommodation of cultural and religious practices.

Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples: Sikhs support efforts to reconcile with Indigenous peoples and rectify historical injustices. Many see this as an important part of healing the country and moving forward together.

National unity: As newcomers to Canada, most Sikhs support a united Canada and do not favor Quebec separatism. But they also encourage the federal government to engage more with minority groups to foster a greater sense of inclusion and belonging.

Environmental protection: Sikh teachings emphasize living in harmony with nature and being good stewards of the environment. Many Sikhs support strong environmental protections and action on climate change.

Healthcare access: Like other Canadians, Sikhs value Canada’s universal healthcare system. However, some feel the system could do a better job accommodating cultural and religious needs of minority groups (Logan, 2022).

Role in the world: Sikhs have a history of advocating for justice, freedom and human rights around the world. Many feel Canada has an important role to play as a force for good on the global stage (World Sikh Organization of Canada | the Canadian Encyclopedia, 2020).

Workplace discrimination: While Canadian workplaces are generally inclusive, some Sikhs still face challenges with discrimination related to race, religion and cultural practices like wearing turbans or having uncut hair (Workplace Discrimination for Sikhs Goes beyond the City of Toronto Security Guard Lay Offs, 2022).

Image 7: (Sikh Teens Spread Awareness + Love in Manhattan, 2015)