Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal’s Private Member's Bill C-376 to designate April as Sikh Heritage Month also passed in the House and Senate and received Royal Assent into law. “Today we celebrate the contributions that the Sikh community have made to Canada, from the early pioneers working in the fields, lumber mills, and railroads, to today's community members who have excelled in every field, profession and discipline as Canadians contributing to the greater good,” Dhaliwal said. “Today, and for the entire month, we honour these contributions.”

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

OTTAWA - Prime Minister used his daily COVID-19 update this week to thank Canadian Sikhs for their contribution to the Virus fight by providing free food and other essential services to Canadians. He also took the opportunity to wish all Canadians Happy Sikh Heritage Month, which kicked off on Wednesday, April 1.

Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal’s Private Member's Bill C-376 to designate April as Sikh Heritage Month also passed in the House and Senate and received Royal Assent into law.

“Today we celebrate the contributions that the Sikh community have made to Canada, from the early pioneers working in the fields, lumber mills, and railroads, to today's community members who have excelled in every field, profession and discipline as Canadians contributing to the greater good,” Dhaliwal said. “Today, and for the entire month, we honour these contributions.”

Toronto-based Seva Food Bank thanked Trudeau for acknowledging Canadian Sikh community’s  contributions towards COVID-19 fight and their year-round campaign to feeding the hungry.

 “Every day, Sikh Canadians make our cities and our neighbourhoods stronger. And right now, when people need help most, you’re stepping up once again. In Regina, you’re delivering supplies to your neighbours, while in Mississauga, you’re donating to the Seva Food Bank. It just goes to show that we are all stronger together, supporting each other.  You are doing your part, and so many others are doing the same,” Seva said in a press release.

“Seva Food Bank, an Initiative of Sikhs Serving Canada, was established over 10 years ago. As first-, second-, and third-generation Sikh Canadians, we realize how blessed we are to live in the greatest country in the world, and that we have an opportunity to help our neighbours.”

They said in the current worldwide upheaval, government and community-driven help is needed more than ever. People who were already living in precarious circumstances are enduring even more hardship, while people who would never have considered themselves ‘at-risk’ are facing unprecedented uncertainty. 

 “We would like to thank the Prime Minister for his acknowledgement, and his kind words about the Sikh Community,” said Kulvir Singh Gill, Chair of Sikhs Serving Canada.  “We would also like to thank him and the rest of our elected officials who are working hard to develop programs and policies to minimize the impact of COVID-19. We encourage all our fellow Canadians, elected officials and ‘regular’ Canadians, to continue to find ways to help our neighbours most in need, both during this time of crisis as well as into the future.”

To make a donation, please go to: Donate Now - Seva Food Bank <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/12492>

About Seva Food Bank:

Seva Food Bank provides safe, nutritious and culturally-appropriate food to low-income families of all backgrounds living in Mississauga. Our mandate is to coordinate and deliver programs that improve the food needs of our clients and support them in their journey to self-reliance by addressing the root causes of hunger. Since opening our doors in 2009, Seva Food Bank has created a community of clients, volunteers, donors and staff. Each month almost 900 families receive over 100,000 pounds of food and a variety of support services. Forty percent of those receiving food are children and youth. Seva operates from two locations in Mississauga with a small, committed staff team. These locations are hubs of energy and collaboration for the community.