Will continue to address concerns of Punjabi community in Canada: Minister

Toronto (IANS) | Responding to a Sikh lawmaker’s concerns over internet shutdown in Punjab, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said her country is closely following developments in the state and will continue to address the community’s concerns. Malton-Mississauga MP Ikvinder Gahir said in the House, My colleagues and I have heard about the suspension of internet services in Punjab, India. Relatives and friends of Canadians who are in Punjab do not have access to the Internet.

In response, Jolly said, “We are aware of the developments in Punjab and we are closely following it.” We will continue to address the concerns of many community members.

Gahir raised the issue in Parliament after a cross-section of Canadian Sikh MPs expressed their concern over the internet and SMS shutdown affecting everyone in the state.

Tim Uppal, deputy leader of the Conservative Party, told The Globe and Mail: “As a member of Parliament for Canada, we’re trying to make sure it’s safe for Canadians who go there.”

Liberal MP for Brampton South Sonia Sidhu said on Twitter, I am getting calls from Punjab and I am very worried.

I hope the situation resolves soon and Canadians traveling to Punjab will be able to connect with their families and friends in Canada, Sidhu wrote.

According to the 2021 Canadian census, the number of Punjabis in Canada is about 9.5 million, which is about 2.6 percent of the country’s population.

–IANS