April to be Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario

, Dec 12: The month of April in the Canadian province of Ontario will be observed as

Heritage Month every year.

A bill brought by Brampton New Democrat Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Jagmeet Singh to have April recognised as Sikh Heritage Month was approved on Tuesday in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the Brampton Guardian reported on Thursday.

Singh had introduced the bill in the assembly last April.

He said that April is an important month for the Sikh community as the festival of Baisakhi is celebrated in this month, which also marks the creation of the Khalsa.

Sikh Canadians widely celebrate Baisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day.

"This will be an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about Sikh Canadians and the important role that they have played and continue to play in communities across Ontario," Singh was quoted as saying after the bill was passed.

"Sikh Canadians have made significant contributions to Ontario's social, economic, political and cultural fabric," said Singh.

Statistics Canada puts the Sikh population in Ontario at nearly 180,000 based on the 2011 National Household Survey.

IANS