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REGINA — The Saskatchewan legislature has unanimously passed an Opposition NDP private members’ bill to formally recognize Sikh Heritage Month in April.
Bhajan Brar’s legislation says the month is important to Sikh Canadians who celebrate Vaisakhi, a major festival that marks a key event in Sikh history and faith.
He says the bill comes after Sikhs were hurt by comments made last month by a rookie Saskatchewan Party legislature member who called federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh a terrorist.
Read more:
- Sask. MLA’s duties scaled back after Jagmeet Singh comments
- Sask. Party MLA apologizes after calling federal NDP leader a terrorist
- Scott Moe wanted to ‘take a breath’ before deciding on penalty for Hilbert comments
Racquel Hilbert has apologized for her remark and has been stripped of some of her responsibilities.
The Opposition has called on Premier Scott Moe to remove her from the intergovernmental affairs and justice committees and the government caucus.
Hilbert and all other Saskatchewan Party members voted in favour of the NDP’s bill.
On April 11, the premier announced Hilbert would be stripped of her addtional MLA duties.
The following Monday, the premier explained why he waited to give out the punishment.
“At times I’ve maybe spoken too quickly and off the cuff and it’s at times maybe incumbent on me to take a breath, make a responsible decision that is really representative, I think, largely of the people of Saskatchewan and that’s what we’ve done in this case,” said Moe.
He said he hadn’t known about the comment until it got media attention.
Moe claimed Hilbert had apologized to Singh and the Sikh community. However, when asked about it, the Government’s Executive Council only referenced her apology in the assembly, which matched the statement that was sent out on her behalf to media.
“I recently made an inaccurate and inappropriate statement about the federal NDP leader. I apologize for and withdraw that statement,” it read.
Premier Scott Moe sent letters to the Sikh Society of Regina and the Sikh Society of Saskatchewan on Friday. Both referenced her apology on the record, explained that she’d been relieved of her additional duties and described how much Saskatchewan appreciates its Sikh community.
Neither letter offered a direct apology on behalf of Hilbert or the Premier.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck said on Monday that she’d been meeting with members of the Sikh communities in Regina and Saskatoon.
“There’s a lot of hurt that was caused by these comments — incredibly misinformed and hateful comments — that are on the record in this province now forever,” said Beck.
She said those she had spoken to don’t feel the apology was adequate or sincere and she and the NDP continued their call for Hilbert to be removed from the Sask. Party’s caucus.
“I think the premier needs to understand the hurt that these comments have caused and he needs to listen to the community about what they would like to see for redress,” said Beck.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 17, 2025.
The Canadian Press
— with files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick
