MONTREAL – In a recent meeting, NDP MPs Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (Pierrefonds—Dollard), Sadia Groguhé (Saint-Lambert) and Hélène LeBlanc (LaSalle—Émard) met with local Sikh community organisations, Sikh Vision Montreal, the Sikh Women’s Association of Montreal, and members of Sikh associations representing young artists and students. More than 75 members of the Sikh community participated in the event organized by the NDP MPs of greater Montreal. “This is part of an ongoing process by NDP members of Parliament to discuss issues with members of all communities in our ridings in order to ensure we represent the needs of all our constituents” said Ms. LeBlanc.
Sikh Wome's Association
Members of the Sikh community who were present at the discussion raised important issues and social challenges they face, among which were employment discrimination and the lack of representation in the public service, the ban on the wearing of turbans on soccer fields imposed on Sikh youth, inequities in wait times for the processing of immigration applications and difficulty in accessing super visas, and finally, the lack of resources to promote Sikh and Punjabi culture in Montreal.
Sikh Vision Montreal
“Many of the immigration issues discussed are unfortunately common to new immigrants of all communities” said Ms. Groguhé, NDP Deputy Critic for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. “We clearly see that the Conservatives’ changes to immigration laws have caused a great deal of stress and frustration”.
Ms. Blanchette-Lamothe was especially impressed by the engagement of Sikh youth. “I am particularly impressed by the involvement of the youth in the promotion of Punjabi arts and culture and, even more, in their interest to share their culture with their fellow citizens," she said.
Sikh Youth Quebec
The effort by the NDP in association with Sikhs of greater Montreal is the first of many efforts to build strong bonds of understanding and to collectively create solutions to common issues. All NDP Members of Parliament present reminded participants that building relationships and communicating with their elected officials is integral to the democratic process.