By Balwant Sanghera

RICHMOND – India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas is a favourite place to visit for  people all over. Our Highway to Heaven (aka #5 Road) in Richmond has now become world famous. This has made our place of worship even more attractive. On April 21, Pierre Poilievre, the Leader of the main Opposition Party and head of the Conservative Party of Canada, along with a number of other VIPs, arrived at Gurdwara Nanak Niwas Sahib to pay his obeisance. 

Poilievre was accompanied by Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and Edmonton MP Tim Oppal, Calgary MP and Finance Critic for the Conservative Party Jasraj Hallan,  South Surrey-White Rock MP Keri Lynne Finlay, Tako Van Popta, MP for Aldergrove- Langley and a number of other prominent guests. Members of the Gurdwara management committee welcomed Poilievre and his party to the Gurdwara. 

Immediately, after the welcome ceremony, Poilievre and guests went upstairs to the Darbar (Prayer) Hall to pay their respects. Thereafter, they were escorted to the Langar Hall downstairs. On behalf of the Gurdwara management committee, I (Balwant Singh Sanghera) was honoured to welcome Poilievre and guests.  I  gave a brief talk about the history and accomplishments of the Gurdwara Nanak Niwas. It was also an honour for me to recognize our patron Asa Singh Johal and the Johal family’s outstanding contribution to this Gurdwara. We are all very thankful to the late Asa Singh Johal and the Johal family for their ever-present support and dedication. After that, Poilievre was kind enough to share his thoughts with the attendees. The guests then enjoyed tea and delicious refreshments. 

As a token of our appreciation for his visit, on behalf of the Gurdwara Management Committee, President Ubed Singh Sidhu, presented Mr. Poilievre with a set of books. One book was prepared by the Gurdwara Nanak Niwas in 2019 at the time of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s 550 th Parkash Purb (Birth Anniversary). The other was a biography of our Gurdwara patron Asa Singh Johal. Before departing from the Gurdwara, Poilievre expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Gurdwara management for a very warm welcome.

Balwant Singh Sanghera is the General Secretary, Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Richmond.