Advocacy

The WSO works in cooperation with Sikh societies and organizations within Canada to advocate on behalf of Sikh interests in Canada. These interests include religious, social, and legal.

The WSO has been actively involved in addressing major social issues in Canada since 1984. As part of this involvement, and with the view to fostering better understanding and accommodation of all peoples, the WSO has:

• prepared submissions to governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations;
• presented at and hosted conferences with and for community groups, police boards, politicians, inter-faith organizations, schools, universities, and various other non-profit entities;
• conducted training and educational workshops in communities throughout Canada.

The WSO has been invited to make submissions, presentations, and act in a consultative capacity to national and international government and legislative committees, tribunals, and non-governmental entities, on constitutional and human rights issues, as well as other matters.

For example, the WSO has done the following:

• Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council;
• Presentation to the World Conference Against Racism;
• Consultations with the Refugee Review Tribunals of Australia, United States and the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board;
• Presentation to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, on Bill C-36, Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Legislation;
• Presentations to Canadian Senate and House Committees on Bills C-16/C-18 (Citizenship and Immigration);
• Consultations and Submissions to the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs on issues of foreign policy, including Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties;
• Consultations with the Canadian Department of Employment and Immigration on immigration policy development;
• Consultations with the Ministry of Multiculturalism; and
• Consultations with Committee reviewing Canada Customs and Revenue/Solicitor General policies on non-for profit and charitable status for cultural organizations.

The WSO has had consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council; made presentations to the Canadian Senate and Parliamentary House Committees; and had consultations with Refugee Review Tribunals of Australia, United States and Canada. WSO has also in the past worked with the Attorney General, Department of Justice, Transport Canada, Correctional Services Canada ,Immigration and Refugee Board, Immigration and Citizenship Canada, Heritage Canada, Environment Canada, Foreign Affairs Department, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Health Canada, Industry Canada, and more than a dozen Federal government Agencies such as the CRTC, CIDA, EDC, Passport Agency, CCRA, RCMP, CSIS, CBC, Via Rail, Canada Post, etc.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) acts in a consultative capacity to national and international government and legislative committees, tribunals and non-governmental entities on constitutional and human rights issues as well as other matters.

The WSO continues to work with numerous provincial, municipal, and private organizations, as well as religious and charitable organizations.