Thousands enjoy 45th annual Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver
Thousands gathered in South Vancouver Saturday to take part in the city's 45th annual Vaisakhi parade and festival.
The day began with prayer and offerings at the Khalsa Diwan Society temple, followed by the Nagar Kirtan, a procession that wound its way down Marine Drive to Main Street, up to 49th Avenue and back to the temple, passing through the city's historic Punjabi Market neighbourhood.
Along the route, volunteers set up stalls offering free vegetarian food to parade participants and onlookers.
- In pictures: Vancouver Vaisakhi parade 2024
Among the crowd were elected officials from across the political spectrum, including Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, Premier David Eby, provincial Opposition leader Kevin Falcon, federal Emergency Preparedness Minister and Vancouver South MP Harjit Sajjan and federal Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre.
"It's an occasion for those of us who aren't Sikh to reflect on the remarkable contributions of the Sikh community in our province," Eby said.
"The discrimination they've overcome to be able to be reflected in the highest levels of government, industry, business, it's an amazing success story."
Vaisakhi marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699, as well as the start of the Punjabi harvest year.
"Khalsa means pure," explained Malkiat Singh Dami, past president of the Khalsa Diwan Society.
"It's so exciting. It meant bringing everybody together. They eliminated the caste, creed and other religion stuff. They said, 'Bring everybody together.' That's why the middle name Singh (is) for everybody, so everybody is the same … All over the world, wherever the Sikhs are, they celebrate this, and they celebrate very nicely and enthusiastically."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.