Within Canada, anti-Sikh sentiment has included hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Canadian Sikhs as a religious and ethnic group. This form of racism has affected Sikhs in the country since Canada's Sikh community was established in 1897. In recent times, anti-Sikh hate speech has increased steeply in Canada.
In 2026, in an extensive survey by the World Sikh Organization, it was reported that 91% of Sikhs have been targeted for being “visibly identifiable" and 80% of Sikh respondents have reported a rise in discrimination in the past five years.
Background
Anti-Sikh sentiment in Canada has a historical and contemporary presence marked by several key events and ongoing issues. Early instances include the 1907 Bellingham Race Riot, where South East Asian and South Asian immigrants, mostly Sikhs, were violently targeted by white mobs in Washington, U.S., spilling over into Canadian anti-immigrant sentiments and the Pacific Northwest.
The 1914 Komagata Maru incident further highlighted this sentiment when 376 Indian passengers, mostly Sikhs, were denied entry into Canada and forced to return to India, where many faced persecution.
During the late 20th and early 21st century, Canadian Sikhs have experienced increased racism and hate crimes particularly with those who have a turban and beard. This includes key events such as the 1990 Herman Bittner calendar controversy, the 1999 murder of a Sikh caretaker by Neo-Nazis, aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the ongoing vandalisms of Sikh Gurdwaras and the controversial Quebec Bill 21.
Most recently due to high levels of immigration from India to Canada, it has led to increased negative sentiment targeted at Sikhs as well as other religious communities. Former MP and New Democratic Party leader, Jagmeet Singh has been subject to a high level racial attacks.
Early 20th century
1907: Disenfranchisement of Asian immigrants
In 1907, British Columbia enacted legislation that disenfranchised Asian immigrants, including Sikhs, reflecting the widespread anti-Asian sentiment of the period. These laws were part of a broader strategy to limit the political, economic, and social integration of Asian communities within Canadian society. This was called the Asiatic Exclusion League (AEL) the aimed to prevent immigration of people of Asian origin.
After the Bellingham race riot on September 5, 1907, many Sikh mill workers took refuge in Vancouver, British Columbia. As South Asian and Sikh refugees arrived in Vancouver, AEL organizers pressed forward with a plan to march through the streets, waving signs and flags that called for “A White Canada.”
In 1911, Sunder Singh, a surgeon addressed the Canadian Club in Toronto, Ontario alleging that Canada's discrimination against the Sikhs was an injustice to them and to the British Empire. Singh argued the case that Sikh men were not allowed to bring their wives and children to Canada, only were able to travel through one direct steamer and were required to have four times the money than of the Japanese immigrants. In a 1911 newspaper release The Toronto World reported "They (Sikhs) are required to have $200 each as against $50 from the Mongolians. Ruthenians, Galicians, Doukhobors, Polacks and other foreign peoples are admitted without restriction."
Indian Civil Service officer Andrew Fraser criticized the treatment of Sikhs in Canada as "scandalous" and suggested that recognizing their rights and providing fair and equal treatment as British subjects could help reduce unrest in India. Senator James Douglas addressing a similar issue, also condemned British Columbia's treatment of Sikhs, stating that it was "unchristian, un-British, and ungrateful," particularly given the Sikh contributions to the British Empire.
1914: Komagata Maru Incident
The Komagata Maru incident of 1914 is a poignant example of racial discrimination and xenophobia in early 20th-century Canada. The Japanese steamship SS Komagata Maru, which departed from Hong Kong and arrived in Vancouver on May 23, 1914, was carrying 376 passengers, predominantly Sikh immigrants from the Punjab region of British India. Despite their lawful status as British subjects, the passengers were barred from disembarking due to Canada's restrictive immigration policies aimed at preventing non-European immigrants from entering the country.
The Canadian government's refusal to allow the ship's passengers to land was a manifestation of the broader racial prejudices of the time. After two months of being held in harsh conditions aboard the ship, the Komagata Maru was forced to return to India. Upon arrival in Calcutta, the passengers resisted an attempt by the police to arrest them, resulting in a riot that killed twenty of the passengers.
In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologised for the incident, but many in the local Sikh community refused to accept it and requested it should have been made at the House of Commons. This then took place in 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government formally apologized for the incident, acknowledging the injustices faced by the passengers and marked an official recognition of this chapter in Canadian history.
Labour market restrictions
Throughout the early 20th century, Sikhs, along with other Asian immigrants, faced significant obstacles in the labour market. They were often confined to low-paying, menial jobs and encountered hostility and discrimination from white labour unions. Exclusionary policies and societal prejudices restricted their employment opportunities, limiting them to sectors like agriculture, lumber mills, and railway construction, where they endured harsh working conditions and exploitation. This systemic discrimination not only hindered their economic prospects but also reinforced broader societal biases, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization and inequality for Asian communities in North America.
Propaganda and public sentiment
During the early 20th century, some newspapers and political figures portrayed Sikhs and other Asian immigrants as challenges to Canadian society, economy and the demography. These portrayals may have contributed to the public opposition towards Sikhs and other South Asians. However, some politicians, such as Senator James Douglas, expressed favourable views toward Sikh migrants in Canada.
Between 1910 and 1920, a fall in almost half the number of the 2,000 Indians in Canada, many of whom were Sikhs, was a result of the racism they faced, intention to reunify with family members who migrated to America and for economic opportunities.
Mid 20th century During the mid-20th century, Sikhs in Canada faced pervasive racism and discrimination, reflecting the broader challenges of immigrant communities in a society that was often unwelcoming to visible minorities. Common insults such as 'raghead' have been used for turbaned wearing Sikhs. Despite their contributions to the country, Sikhs were frequently marginalized, encountering significant barriers to employment, housing, and social acceptance.
In the late 1970s, some leaders of Toronto's Sikh community warned there would be racial riots unless there people get more police protection due to increasing number of incidents outside a Sikh Temple. However, Chairman of Toronto's Study Group on Human Relations and Former Member of Parliament, Walter Pitman said that "racist attacks were declining".
1970-1980
1971 Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara Incident In 1971, Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver Gurdwara in Downtown Vancouver was defaced with obscenities. A fight erupted afterwards amongst the Sikh congregation and the perpetrators leading to injuries.
Late 20th century
1980–1990
1981 Vancouver Assault Two Sikh men, Gordon Kooner and his friend who wears a turban, were in a gas station when Thomas Henry Burris made racial insults towards his friend. Kooner intervened which resulted in him being physically assaulted. Following the event, Burris was later sent to prison for two years.
1985 Air India Flight 182 aftermath After the aftermath of Air India Flight 182, hostility towards Sikhs in Canada increased significantly, driven by a surge in suspicion and prejudice against the community. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Sikhs across the country experienced heightened discrimination and racism. Many faced harassment in public spaces. The media's portrayal of Sikhs often unfairly linked the community with violence and extremism, which further deepened public mistrust. Despite the Sikh community's widespread condemnation of the attack, they faced a challenging period marked by fear, prejudice, and social marginalization in Canada.
1990–2000 1999 Sikh caretaker murder In 1999, five white supremacists in British Columbia were sentenced for the killing of 65-year-old Sikh caretaker Nirmal Singh Gill. Lee Nikkel, 18, and Robert Kluch, 26, received 15-year sentences plus 18 months already served, for initiating and carrying out the attack. Radoslaw Synderek, 24, Daniel Miloszewski, 22, and Nathan LeBlanc, 27, were each sentenced to 12 years. Judge William Stewart condemned the crime as repugnant and racially motivated, hoping the sentences would deter violent hate crimes. The Sikh community and friends of Gill viewed the sentencing as justice served.
21st century
2000–2010
2005 Vancouver soccer incident In 2005, at a junior soccer tournament in Vancouver, Gurindar Durah, a Sikh player, was barred from the soccer match for wearing his patka, a religious turban. This decision led to Durah's ejection and his team, Northwest United, walking out in protest. Durah's coach, Mario Moretti supported his decision, stating that the tournament ended for them once the referee made that ruling.
2010–2020 2012 Neo-Nazi racial attack On March 24, two Sikh men were attacked outside an Edmonton, Alberta liquor store after a rally by the members Bernard “Bernie” Miller and Kyle McKee of the white supremacist group Blood & Honour. One of the men was subjected to racial slurs inside the store and was then confronted and assaulted as he exited. During the attack, one assailant struck the victim in the head with a full bottle of alcohol and the broken glass was used to stab him.
2015 Edmonton, Alberta gurdwara vandalism In January 2015, Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in South Edmonton was vandalized with racist graffiti, including the phrase "Leave Canada." The gurdwara's management is addressing the incident, emphasizing education and community outreach as ways to combat ignorance. Community members were urged to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity around gurdwaras to the authorities.
2015 Harjit Sajjan racially abused In November 2015, Sikh MP Harjit Sajjan, who was newly appointed as Minister of National Defence, faced racist abuse on social media. The incident occurred on the Canadian Forces' Facebook page, particularly on the French-language version, where derogatory comments were made by a few military personnel, including a Warrant Officer from CFB Valcartier.
The Canadian Forces quickly deleted the comments and launched an investigation, reiterating that racism and discrimination have no place in the military. The incident gained significant media attention, both in Canada and India, highlighting the challenges of racism within the armed forces.
2016 Quebec City assault In April 2016, Supninder Singh Khehra, a Sikh man from Toronto, was attacked in Quebec City, Quebec by Gabriel Royer-Tremblay in a racially motivated assault. The attack, which was recorded on video, involved Khehra being punched, kicked, and having his turban knocked off. The incident sparked national outrage, including condemnation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Royer-Tremblay was sentenced to ten months in jail for the assault and related offences.
2016 Calgary, Alberta gurdwara vandalism