People
British Columbia’s
Bhai Kanhaiyya Army Cadets
Receive Charter
THE PROVINCE
British Columbia celebrated Vaisakhi this weekend with the historic charter signing of Canada’s first cadet corps formed by the Sikh-Canadian community in Surrey and the annual parade in Vancouver.
The charter signing gala for the 3300 BCR (Bhai Kanhaiyya) Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Surrey on Friday (April 10, 2015) night was attended by Canada’s Defence Minister Jason Kenney, National Revenue Minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of State for Multiculturalism Tim Singh Uppal, B.C. Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Singh Virk, a host of MPs, MLAs, municipal politicians and about 400 guests and military personnel.
Rear Admiral Bill Truelove, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, hailed the Sikh community for supporting the Bhai Kanhaiya cadets and saluted the efforts of Vancouver newspaper publisher Harbinder Singh Sewak, the architect of what has become one of Canada’s fastest growing cadet units.
Kenney said the Bhai Kanhaiyya cadets continue the long tradition of service by the Sikh community to the military worldwide and will prepare young Canadians to become tomorrow’s leaders.
The formation of this unique cadet corps has triggered interest across Canada and as far away as London, England, in localities with sizable Sikh populations.
On Saturday, the annual Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade attracted record-breaking crowds of spectators to southeast Vancouver and the neighbourhood near the Ross Street Gurdwara where the festivities began.
April 12, 2015