WSO

SYLI 2026 application deadline is TONIGHT. This is the final chance to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has transformed the lives of Sikh youth across Canada for over a decade. SYLI is more than just a program, it’s a platform to grow as a leader, strengthen your voice, and create meaningful change in your community and beyond. From engaging workshops on advocacy and leadership to building lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories, SYLI is an experience that stays with you forever. If you’ve been thinking about applying, this is your sign to do it now. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something special. Only 20 applicants are selected across Canada. You MUST be a Canadian resident and between 18–26 years old. 📅 Program Dates: August 13–17 ⏰ Deadline: TONIGHT at 11:59pm PST 🔗 Apply now: wsocharity.org/syli⁩

Throwback to SYLI 2019! The deadline to apply for SYLI 2026 is tomorrow, don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For the past 11 years, SYLI has been more than just a program. It’s been a space where young Sikhs from across Canada come together to learn, grow, and build lifelong friendships. Through engaging workshops on leadership, advocacy, and community building, along with unforgettable experiences and connections with like-minded peers, SYLI gives you the tools, confidence, and inspiration to create meaningful change in your community and beyond. Only 20 applicants are selected across Canada. You MUST be a Canadian resident and between 18–26 years old. 📅 Program Dates: August 13–17 ⏰ Deadline: Tomorrow at 11:59pm 🔗 Apply now: wsocharity.org/syli⁩

Hear it directly from our future leaders! Prem Singh shares his transformative experience at SYLI, reflecting on the opportunity to visit the Supreme Court and Parliament, experiences that made Canada’s institutions feel accessible and real in a way he may never have experienced otherwise. SYLI isn’t just a program, it’s a platform to grow and create meaningful change in your community and beyond. Only 20 applicants are selected across Canada. You MUST be a Canadian resident and between 18-26 years old. 📅 Program Dates: August 13–17 ⏰Deadline: This Thursday May 14 🔗 Apply now: wsocharity.org/syli⁩

Kirpan Injustice: Sikh Man Denied Police Exam Because of his Kirpan Watch this report from @OMNIpunjabi covering the story of Jaspal Singh Gill, a Winnipeg man who says he was denied the opportunity to complete a police recruitment exam because he was wearing his kirpan. After being contacted by Jaspal, WSO stepped in to address the matter, with legal counsel Balpreet Singh reaching out to the Winnipeg Police Service. We are currently awaiting their response. Incidents like these highlight the ongoing need for education and awareness around the Sikh articles of faith and the importance of ensuring equal access and accommodation for all Sikhs. Original video: youtube.com/watch?v=sxbOpC…

The deadline for the 2026 Census is tomorrow, this is our opportunity to make our voices count. Despite being one of the fastest-growing religious communities in Canada, Sikhs remain underrepresented in national data. Participating in the census helps improve funding and public services, strengthens recognition and representation, supports efforts to address racism and discrimination and ensures our community is accurately reflected and visible. Be sure to pay close attention to Questions 23 and 30, which ask about ethnicity and religion. Please complete your census and tell your family, friends and networks to do the same. Our community. Our voice. Our census. For more information visit: census.gc.ca/en/index

The WSO has been in contact with Jaspal Singh Gill regarding reports he was denied the opportunity to write a Winnipeg Police Service recruitment exam unless he removed his kirpan. We have written to @wpgpolice seeking policy changes to ensure Sikh applicants are not excluded from policing because of their faith. There is no legal justification to exclude the kirpan. Sikhs proudly serve in police services across Canada while maintaining their articles of faith.

Historic Breakthrough for Sikh workers in the Marine Sector | @connectmnetwork Episode Following the historic breakthrough at BC Ferries opening doors for Sikh workers, Connect Media host Vijay Saini sat down with Gurpreet Singh Bajwa, Captain at BC Ferries and representative of the BC Ferries marine workers’ union and Gurjeet Singh, BC Regional Officer for WSO. The episode explores recent positive changes addressing workplace barriers and promoting greater inclusion for Sikh employees in the marine transportation sector. Original video: facebook.com/share/v/18k3Fa…

We are increasingly seeing a disturbing pattern online: when videos or reports emerge of Sikhs being targeted, harassed, or attacked in the West, pro-Indian accounts quickly flood comment sections claiming these incidents are happening because of Sikh support for Khalistan. This narrative is false, dangerous, and deliberate. There is no evidence suggesting that attacks on Sikhs are linked to Khalistan advocacy. Instead, this appears to be part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at stigmatizing Sikh political expression, portraying support for Khalistan as inherently criminal or extremist, and creating fear within the Sikh community. The objective is clear: make Sikhs afraid to speak, organize, or advocate. Sikhs should remain vigilant and recognize these coordinated attempts to manipulate public perception and intimidate the community into silence.

We are hiring an Information and Media Analyst. As disinformation and hate narratives continue to spread online, the need for accurate research, rapid response, and community education has never been greater. This role will help monitor misinformation, track harmful narratives, produce reports and analysis, and create accessible content that informs and empowers our communities. If you have experience in media analysis, research, journalism, public policy, communications, or related fields, we encourage you to apply. Join us in strengthening information integrity and countering disinformation targeting Sikh communities. Apply here: worldsikh.org/careers

We were honoured to be recognized in the Legislative Assembly for our work in giving people a voice and advocating for the issues that matter to the Sikh community. Moments like these are a reminder of the importance of ensuring communities are heard, represented, and empowered in every space where decisions are being made. Thank you to MLA @ToorJody and Hon. @jessieksunner for the recognition and for highlighting the importance of community advocacy and engagement.

Yesterday, the WSO team was in Victoria for our BC Advocacy Day. We had the opportunity to meet with members across parties and ministries, including Premier of BC @Dave_Eby. We raised the issue of rising Anti-Sikh Hate including the alarming statistics from our recent report and the need for recognition and disaggregated data. We also spoke about transnational repression from the Government of India and the need to have a strong public stand on Canadian sovereignty and the rule of law. Thank you to all the members who met with us and we look forward to future engagement in the province.

We are excited to extend the deadline for SYLI 2026! This is your opportunity to be a part of a platform to grow and create meaningful change in your community and beyond. From engaging workshops on advocacy and leadership to connecting with like-minded peers, SYLI equips you with the tools and confidence you need to make a real impact. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your voice, expand your network or step into leadership, this experience stays with you forever. Only 20 applicants are selected across Canada. You MUST be a Canadian resident and between 18–26 years old. 📅 Program Dates: August 13–17 ⏰ Deadline: Next Thursday, May 14 🔗 Apply now: wsocharity.org/syli

What can SYLI bring to you? SYLI isn’t just a program, it’s a platform to grow and create meaningful change in your community and beyond. Watch these moments from last year which give a small insight on what you can experience, the bonds you'll create, the skills you'll learn and the memories that will last forever. The deadline to apply is this Friday May 7, don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity! Apply here: wsocharity.org/syli

Key findings from the newly released CSIS 2025 Annual Report, raising serious concerns about foreign interference and its impact on Sikh communities in Canada. “Historically, India has cultivated covert relationships with Canadian politicians, journalists, and members of the Indo-Canadian community, to exert its influence and advance its interests. This has included transnational repression (TNR) activities, such as surveillance and other coercive tactics meant to suppress criticism of the Government of India and create fear in the community. Given the presence in Canada of supporters of the Khalistan separatist movement, Canada must remain vigilant regarding potential TNR activities. India acts to counter perceived threats to its domestic stability, including Khalistan separatism. In Canada, advocacy for Khalistan separatism is lawful political activity.” This report underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and the protection of fundamental freedoms in Canada.

"I had to start from rock bottom" Watch this clip from our special episode of #AskCanadianSikhs: Right to Believe, where we have a conversation with Amrit Kaur, one of the lead appellants in the Supreme Court case to challenge Bill 21 and WSO’s former Vice President for Quebec. Amrit shares her experience of starting over in a new province, the pressures of being in the public eye, and why speaking out against injustice matters, especially for those who may not be directly affected. To our listeners: the right to believe, express, and to exist as you are is not a privilege, it's a birthright and it's a right we must never stop defending. Watch the full episode here: youtu.be/7i2sfhFOeL0?si…

"The Price on Our Head Has Never Gone Away” — Sen. Baltej Dhillon's Experience with Anti-Sikh Hate @BaltejSDhillon spoke at our recent Sikh Heritage Month event in Brampton, reflecting on his first experiences with anti-Sikh hate after arriving in Canada in 1983. By his second day, as the only dastaar wearing student in his school, he was already being called names. After joining the RCMP, the discrimination continued through anti-Sikh pins, offensive calendars, and even highway signs depicting a Sikh with a no entry symbol. Despite this, he stood firm, understanding that his responsibility went beyond himself, that it wasn’t just his Sikhi, but ours. He reminds us that the price on our head has never gone away and that while it’s easy to speak about resilience, we must also live it. Watch the full event: youtu.be/XCMZ9y-hg6Q?si… Read the report: worldsikh.org/understanding_…

“The ‘Sikh Tax’ Sikhs Pay in Everyday Life” — Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal spoke at our recent Sikh Heritage Month event in Brampton about the challenges Sikhs face when travelling, highlighting the added time, financial burden and moments of discomfort many experience at airports. She also emphasized the importance of Sikh identity, teaching our children that our hair is a gift. Despite the stares, the extra time, and the added cost, she reminds us that this is the price we pay to stand out. Watch the full event: youtu.be/XCMZ9y-hg6Q?si… Read the report: worldsikh.org/understanding_…

"The court accepted me but I was not accepted" - Gurbaj Multani on winning his Supreme Court Case Gurbaj Singh Multani spoke at our recent Sikh Heritage Month event in Brampton about his experience following the landmark Supreme Court of Canada case Multani v. Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (2006), which affirmed the right of Sikh students to wear the kirpan in schools. He shared that despite winning in court and the recognition that the kirpan is an article of faith, he still faced a lack of acceptance from the community when it came to his identity. Watch the full event: youtu.be/XCMZ9y-hg6Q?si… Read the report: worldsikh.org/understanding_…

Press Release: Historic Breakthrough at BC Ferries Opens Doors for Sikh Workers The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) and the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union (@BCFMWU) are marking a historic milestone in workplace inclusion and human rights following nearly four years of sustained advocacy to remove discriminatory barriers affecting Sikh workers in the marine sector. As a direct result of these efforts, Karambir Singh has become the first Sikh marine engineer with a full beard to secure a position with BC Ferries, while Gurpreet Singh Bajwa is the organization’s first turbaned Sikh Deck Officer and Captain. This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in ensuring Sikh Canadians can fully participate in maritime professions without compromising their religious identity. WSO President Danish Singh said: “This marks a significant step forward for equality and inclusion in British Columbia. For too long, Sikh workers have been forced to choose between their faith and their careers. Blanket clean-shave requirements are neither appropriate nor consistent with the law. This decision shows that with evidence-based policy, collaboration, and persistence, safety can be fully maintained while respecting fundamental rights.” Read the full press release: worldsikh.org/historic_break…

Pictures from our Sikh Heritage Month event marking the launch of our New Anti-Sikh Hate report in Winnipeg! We would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who attended along with a special thanks to our amazing panel of guest speakers, Dr Sonia Kaur Aujla-Bhullar, Ravina Kaur Toor and Prabhnoor Singh with Rachhvir Kaur as moderator. This was a critical conversation on what our community continues to face and how we can move forward together. Thank you to Academy Optical for providing the generous use of their space! If you haven't already, please read the full report here: worldsikh.org/understanding_…