NDP TO PRESENT HISTORIC BILL TO DESIGNATE EVERY APRIL AS PUNJABI HERITAGE MONTH IN CANADA

Brampton, Canada: After completing the largest and most successful nationwide consultations with the Punjabi community in the Party’s history, Canada’s New Democrats have announced that Deputy Heritage Critic and Toronto Caucus Chair Andrew Cash (Davenport) will put forth a historic Private Members Bill for the designation of every April in Canada as Punjabi Heritage Month.

During the jam-packed press conference with standing room only, NDP MPs Andrew Cash, Jasbir Sandhu (Surrey North) and Rathika Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough-Rouge River) made the historic announcement in support of Canada’s Punjabi community early Saturday morning at the House of Bhangra.

“We initiated this campaign with the support and at the request of the Leader of the Official Opposition and Canada’s NDP, Tom Mulcair” said Jasbir Sandhu. “Tom Mulcair expressed that he has always felt a warm and generous spirit amongst Canada’s Punjabi community and that it was time to recognize over one hundred years of contributions from this vibrant community”.

The announcement by the NDP came after a series of consultations throughout the country, where recognition of the communities’ contributions and history in Canada was a constant theme of discussion.

“Without fail, every consultation we conducted, members of the community highlighted the need for greater recognition of Punjabi heritage, arts and culture in Canada” added Rathika Sitsabaiesan.

While making the announcement Andrew Cash explained why he was so proud to be putting forth this Private Members Bill.

“Punjabis have lived in Canada for over a hundred years, building deep roots in our society and helping to shape our shared history. It’s time we celebrate that. I’ve been inspired to start practicing my Punjabi and I think I can explain why this Bill is so important: Punjabiyan Dee Pehchaan, Canada Dee Shaan”

Members of the community can support this initiative by visiting www.PunjabiHeritageMonth.ca and signing the online petition.

Source: Amneet Singh, Press Secretary, 613-296-0149 or amneet.singh@parl.gc.ca