I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has joined us for the annual Squamish Sikh Parade. This event holds profound significance as we come together to commemorate the sacrifice and Martyrdom Day of the Fifth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikh faith, is a beacon of spirituality, devotion, and unwavering commitment to human rights and justice. He played a pivotal role in compiling and editing the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. His martyrdom is a landmark event in Sikh history, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice for faith and righteousness.
We are proud Sikhs but we also take immense pride in being Canadians. The annual Sikh parade in Squamish is a testament to the values we hold dear and the freedoms we enjoy. It showcases our ability to practice our religion freely, speak our minds, and express our identity through our dress.
Canada allows us this freedom, and we are profoundly grateful for that.
As a leader within the Sikh community, I feel a deep moral responsibility to advocate for the rights and well-being of all citizens. I feel it’s my moral duty to stand up for this country and its citizens and advocate for human rights, which also includes a clean environment for this beautiful land we are lucky to call home.
Today, we are honoured to have many local leaders among us, including Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and local councillors. I implore you to consider that human rights must include access to affordable education and healthcare. We owe it to our children and ourselves to create a society where these fundamental needs are met.
For instance, our local children often have to leave Squamish for higher education due to inadequate public transit to Vancouver. This forces many families to bear the burden of high rent or expensive private transportation. Despite numerous discussions, we still lack a reliable public transit connection from Squamish to Vancouver, making car ownership a necessity rather than a choice.
The challenges in our healthcare system are well-known. Hospitals across the province are operating beyond capacity, and this needs immediate attention. Our children deserve to learn not only about global and national history but also about their responsibilities to their country and their families. They should be aware of the heroic tales of Canadian soldiers and the significant battles like those of the Atlantic Ocean, which highlight our nation’s valour and resilience.
In my view, our children should know why our brave Canadian soldiers were called Storm Troopers. Here in Squamish, the Sikh community is immensely proud of local heroes like Jashan Singh Malhi, the first Sikh child from Squamish to serve in the Canadian Army.
Our first Guru, Guru Nanak, profoundly stated: “Air is the Guru, Water is the Father, and Earth is the Great Mother of all.” Let us embrace this wisdom and commit ourselves to caring for our environment. Protecting our land and waters from pollution is not just an act of environmentalism; it is a moral duty that earns us the right to be called true Canadians.
Paramjit Sidhu is the vice president of the Squamish Sikh Society. This is a modified version of his Squamish Sikh Parade speech.
