Ottawa: The Canadian government will release a special commemorative stamp this Sunday to honour over a century of service by Sikh soldiers in the national military. The stamp, produced by Canada Post, will be officially unveiled during the 18th Annual Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony on November 2 — an event held annually by the Sikh community to pay tribute to soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars.
Former MP Tarlochan Singh welcomed the move, calling it a “significant recognition” of the contributions made by Sikh Canadians in defending the nation. “The Canadian Government has decided to release a commemorative stamp in honour of Sikh Canadian soldiers. Produced by Canada Post, it will be unveiled during the Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony. The stamp celebrates over 100 years of Sikh service in the Canadian military, dating back to the First World War, when only ten Sikh soldiers were accepted,” he said.
The annual Remembrance Day event takes place at the grave of Private Bukkan Singh — the only known military grave of a Sikh soldier in Canada from the World Wars. Private Singh, who served in the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion during battles in France and Belgium, was wounded and later died at a military hospital in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1919. He was laid to rest with full military honours, and his grave has since become a symbol of Sikh sacrifice and courage.
The newly issued stamp also pays tribute to Sikh soldiers currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. It stands as a reminder of the long history of Sikh participation in Canada’s military efforts, from World War I to modern missions.
Canada has previously honoured the Sikh community with commemorative stamps. In 1999, Canada Post issued a special Baisakhi stamp featuring the Khanda, a sacred Sikh symbol representing divine knowledge. Another stamp was released in 2014 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident — when hundreds of Sikh and Hindu passengers from British India were denied entry to Canada in 1914.
Sikh history in Canada dates back to 1897, when the first Sikhs arrived as part of a British Army contingent. The upcoming stamp, therefore, not only acknowledges Sikh military service but also highlights their enduring contributions to Canada’s history and identity.
