Turban trouble in Canada

By Bhupinder Liddar – DESIBUZZCanada Columnist

Is Canada’s claim to being a beacon of multiculturalism, multiracial and an inclusive society a façade, charade and a veneer over deeply embedded racism?

Recent troubling public events in Canada are bringing into question the country’s perceived stellar reputation of a tolerant and an inclusive society which could be the model in future, especially Europe attempting to find ways to cope with its new-found multicultural and multiracial societies.

Surprisingly, recent troubling incidents have occurred in Canada’s most multiracial and multicultural societies which happen to be its largest and third largest cities – Toronto and Vancouver, respectively.

On May 24, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to cancel an appearance at his Liberal Party’s fundraiser in Surrey, in greater Vancouver. Almost half of Surrey’s population is Canadian Sikhs, many of whom wear turbans. According to mainstream reports, about four dozen White protesters shouted racist slogans at guests, including turbaned Sikhs, arriving for the dinner. Randeep Sarai, one of area MPs, confirmed that racial abuses were hurled at the arriving guests, including calling them “towel heads, rag heads, you’re all immigrants”.

Police stood by and watched but the Prime Minister canceled his appearance at the dinner citing security concerns. It would seem the hate spewing demonstrators won the day, alas! What could the police have done? For one, they could have arrested some of those inciting racial hatred.

And now, this week, comes news that 100 turbaned and bearded Sikh security guards working for companies with contracts with Toronto City Hall, have been told to shave their beards or lose their jobs, because beard supposedly interferes with effectiveness of wearing of a facemask. Uncut hair is a religious requirement for followers of Sikh faith. Interestingly, these same bearded Sikh security guards have been working throughout Covid pandemic and now suddenly find themselves faced with the choice of shaving their beard or retaining their job, just when pandemic restrictions, including wearing of facemasks, are being removed.

Following an uproar from Canadian Sikh organizations, such as World Sikh Organization, many of the security companies contracted to Toronto City Hall have now reversed their requirement requiring clean shaven faces.

While one welcomes the decision, one is baffled by the original decision because Toronto, Canada’s largest city whose six million hails from countries ranging Afghanistan to Zambia and is a fine example of inclusiveness and harmony – hall marks, promise and a reflection of Canadian lifestyle! Were security companies blind to this reality?

One hopes these recent incidents, in Vancouver and Toronto are a rare occurrence and not re-surfacing of latent racism. 

While one can dismiss Trump effect of emboldening racism creeping into Canada, one must be on guard against similar language being employed recently in an ad by a Canadian Conservative Party leadership candidate, Pierre Poilievre, when he calls for Canadians to “reclaim” their freedom. Has a ring of “Make America Great Again”, alas! 

Canada has a lot to show to the world how a country can engage in conscious effort to create an inclusive, tolerant society, free of fear of racism and hate. The example includes 17 members of Sikh faith, who sit as Members in Canada’s Parliament, including turbaned and bearded cabinet minister, leader of a federal political party, a member of official opposition party.

One hopes that despite recent and occasional hiccups, the Canadian experiment of showcasing an exemplary future society will succeed!

Kenya-born Bhupinder S. Liddar, is a retired Canadian diplomat, and a former editor/publisher of Diplomat & International Canada magazine. www.liddar.ca