Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, released the following statement on Vaisakhi:
“Three centuries ago, Guru Gobind Singh Ji first established the Khalsa with Sikhs continuing to preserve their legacy and emulate their devotion, guided by God’s instruction for generations. As the seasons turn to spring and the sun once again shines upon us, Vaisakhi provides hope during times when we feel hopeless.
“Because the message of the Khalsa, to be pure, honest, liberated and free, lived throughout Guru Gobind Singh’s life. Through these principles, every person is made equal, as his followers continue to drink from the same bowl. They take on the name Singh, meaning lion, because each of us is a lion.
“It reminds us of the so-called ‘ordinary people.’ The waitress who serves customers on her feet by day and helps her child with math by night is not ordinary. She is extraordinary. The farmer who brings food from the field to our fork during the spring harvest is not ordinary. He is extraordinary.
“These extraordinary people, the lions among us, do not need one caste or group to rule over them. Instead, it is every single one of us who must have the freedom to celebrate with our communities, including those harvesting the rewards for seeds planted months earlier.
“As Nagar Keertans celebrate in streets from Surrey to Brampton, this message of unity, which has been passed down since 1699, continues to live on and inspire us. I want to wish all those celebrating today a Happy Vaisakhi.
“Vaisakhi diyan lakh lakh vadhaiyan!”