Volume 18                Issue #11         November 2024

The Time for the Majority Voice to be Heard

Hello friends,

The past few weeks have been trying times for those invested in fostering Canada-India relations. Recent events have been marked by diplomatic standoffs, social tensions, and a troubling rise in divisive rhetoric. Amid this upheaval, we must ask ourselves: Are we content with Canada’s direction? Are we considering the legacy we’re shaping for future generations—all under the banner of free speech, even as it damages our social fabric? This principle, selectively applied, is increasingly wielded as a weapon rather than a unifier.

Since its founding in 2007, Canada India Foundation has championed the goal of a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between Canada and India. While we have faced challenges and varying responses to our work, we are resolute in our commitment to bridge our nations with integrity and purpose. Criticism from those who oppose a positive bilateral relationship is a testament to the value of our mission, and it has become clear who is holding the relationship hostage to advance personal agendas. They claim to act in Canada’s interest but are steadily dismantling the principles of respect and inclusion that define our nation.

As Canadians of Indian descent, we are deeply troubled by the platform given to divisive elements within our political and administrative spheres. Their influence is pushing a foreign agenda that harms Canada’s interests, and what began as an anti-India stance has escalated to anti-Hindu hatred—a disturbing shift that targets a community known for its loyalty, peaceful contributions, and respect for both their motherland and homeland. Hindus, like all Canadians of Indian heritage, treat Canada as home, and they embody values that resonate deeply with Canadian ideals of coexistence and inclusivity.

This anti-Hindu rhetoric, fueled by deliberate misinformation, not only harms a single community but also undermines Canada’s commitment to diversity and tolerance. Hindus in Canada, alongside other Canadians of Indian origin, have contributed meaningfully to this nation’s prosperity and vibrancy. They exemplify what it means to be loyal, law-abiding, and productive citizens. Yet, their connection to India is being twisted into accusations of foreign interference—a baseless narrative promoted by extremists and those seeking to incite division.

Crucially, the extremists propagating anti-India and anti-Hindu sentiments do not represent the majority of Indo-Canadians. In fact, most Indo-Canadians—including Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians—hold deep affection and respect for India and are exasperated by these extremists who misrepresent them. An overwhelming majority values harmony, supports strong Canada-India bilateral relations, and uphold values that align with Canada’s ideals of inclusivity and respect. They regard both Canada and India with pride, as complementary parts of their heritage, and wish for both nations to thrive together. These Canadians are now calling for their voices to be heard, over and above those who promote hatred and division. (Read more)

Toronto, November 8, 2024: The second installment of the Joint CIF & Scotiabank Thought Leadership series was held in Toronto, featuring Jean-Francois Perrault, Senior VP and Chief Economist at Scotiabank at the Royal Woodbine Golf Club. Coming as it was just days away from the US elections, the theme was appropriately chosen as ‘US Elections – What lies ahead for Canada.’

Ritesh Malik, Chair, CIF, while introducing the Guest Speaker, touched on the uncertainty experienced in many sectors, especially in the trade and immigration fronts, arising out of the change in Washington, and hoped that Canada will navigate the changes successfully in the coming months and years.

Speaking at the occasion was also, Todd Barnes, Managing Director and Head, Scotia McLeod, who gave a detailed background on Scotia McLeod that was first established in 1921 with the initial aim of creating fixed income for investors of the time. Since then, the company grew rapidly over the century that followed and branched out to a number of finance and investment areas. “Ten years ago, we made a pivotal change by shifting from independent businesses to a unified approach based on client feedback. High-net-worth Canadians expressed that their investment, banking, philanthropic, and business activities intersected, so we reorganized to work collaboratively in shared spaces. This decision has been validated by daily positive client feedback, and we continue to expand our service to more high-net-worth Canadians.”

Scotia McLeod today have about two thousand employees coast to coast and have offices in most of the major and medium to small sized markets in Canada and manage about $200 billion in retail investment solutions for clients.

Perrault opened his presentation on US Elections ‘What is next for Canada’, with the assertion that it comes at a particularly inconvenient time for Canada and the rest of the world because, “The US elections come at really an unfortunate time in the sense that we have been in a world, Canada and a little bit less in US, where central banks have more or less declared victory over inflation and started to cut interest rates, effectively trying to normalize the current conditions so we have an acceleration of growth going forward.” (Read More)

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Canada has announced changes to the tourist visa regime effective immediately. Till now, most tourist visas issued by Canada worldwide were valid for a period of ten years and allowed multiple entry and exits. According to new guidelines, there will not be anymore automatic ten-year visas, but the visa officer will issue visas for limited periods after determining the applicant has strong reasons to return to their country and if they have not contravened Canada’s immigration rules in the past. (Read more.)

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Presidential candidate who dropped out of the race to extend support to Donald Trump is being given one of the most consequential and challenging jobs by President-elect Trump – to cut government waste. Along with Elon Musk, Ramaswamy will have the opportunity to fix America’s forever budget deficit problems in the coming years. (Read more.)

Indian Space Research Organization announced plans to open its indigenously developed navigation system NavIC to civilian use, in a move that will challenge or replace the dominant player in the market, GPS. The system was till now available only to defense and other sensitive sectors. Indian government plans to make NavIC chipsets mandatory in all smartphones sold in the country by 2025. (Read more.)

For the first time in US history, there will be an Indian Second Lady now in the White House. Usha, born in the US to Indian parents from Andhra Pradesh, married to Vice President-elect, J D Vance, played an active role in her husband’s campaign. (Read more.)

King Charles and Camilla Seek Rejuvenation Treatment in Bengaluru

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez were at the inauguration of India’s first private military aircraft manufacturing facility in Gujarat, calling it a huge shift towards greater self-reliance in defense production aligned with the Make in India, Make for the World theme. Under this $2.5 Billion deal, sixteen aircraft will be delivered in a fly-away condition from Spain while 40 will be made in India. (Read more.)

An Indian crypto expert working in the US has claimed that he has been able to crack the Indus Valley script that has defeated deciphering by the world’s top experts for over a century. The computer scientist, Yajnadevam, also claims that script is likely linked to Sanskrit and not to any other language. (Watch below)

Haresh and Hema Bhatt Foundation is proud to support Eagle Ridge Hospital, a facility that has been integral to our community in Coquitlam for nearly two decades. "As long-time residents, we deeply appreciate the proximity and quality of care that Eagle Ridge Hospital provides. Known affectionately as the 'Little Hospital with a Big Heart,' this hospital has become an essential health care hub for the rapidly growing communities within the Fraser Health Authority. We are honored to contribute to the continued excellence and expansion of care that Eagle Ridge Hospital offers to families like ours across the region," said Hema Bhatt. 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their cultural roots. The 18th PBD Convention is being held from 8th-10th January, 2025 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The theme of the 18th PBD Convention 2025 is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit (Developed) Bharat".

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Chetan Handa

Co-convener

chetanhnd@gmail.com