Many residents of Surrey have family and friends in India who have been adversely impacted by the farming bills passed in their ancestral land. The changes affecting the farmers in India threaten their livelihood and their protests have been met with a heavy hand by the Government of India.
I stand in solidarity with the farmers in India and I will be asking Council to do the same at our next Council Meeting on April 12. I will be bringing forth a motion asking Council to support the Indian farmers, many of whom have direct ties with our residents in Surrey.
With April being Sikh Heritage Month in BC and also marking Vaisakhi, one of the most important celebrations in the Sikh faith, it is timely and fitting that City Council supports this important issue that affects so many of Surrey’s Indian community. I ask all of Council to join me in this motion and show that Surrey stands in solidarity with the farmers in India.
Mayor Doug McCallum
City of Surrey
Photo courtesy of City of Surrey.