Sir,
Despite the fact that the Canadian solicitor General Pierre Cadieux’s announcement in Parliament on March 15, 1990 in favor of the Sikhs wearing the turban as part of the RCMP uniform has come after almost a year of public wrangling and polarizing, I highly commend the laudable and courageous decision.
The decision is rational and balanced based on constitutional and moral grounds; permitting the Sikh RCMP officers to wear the turban is legally and morally right. By this decision Canada has opened its arms to the Sikhs, and for that matter other minorities, to be bana fide Canadians, exhibiting not only tolerance but acceptance and fair treatment of minorities in providing opportunity for economic, social and political participation as citizens of this country.
For many Sikhs there is no turning back to their country of origin they are here to stay, this generation and generation’s following. They want to be full-fledged Canadian citizens, and they want to become fully participating members of society and serve Canada in every walk of life, including the highly regarded RCMP. By the same token, the religious identity of the Sikhs should be accepted in our multicultural and pluralistic society which upholds freedom of choice and religion.
Let us call upon Canadians of all backgrounds to share in building Canada into a nation where all its citizens may maintain and cherish their values and heritage, where there is justice and equal opportunity for all, and where its members live in condiment, peace and harmony with one another.
Gurbaksh S. Brar Calgary, Canada
Article extracted from this publication >> May 4, 1990
