Ottawa, October 30, 2025: The Canadian government will issue a special commemorative stamp this Sunday to honour more than a century of service by Sikh soldiers in the country’s armed forces. Produced by Canada Post, the stamp will be unveiled at the 18th Annual Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony on November 2 an event dedicated to remembering Sikh soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives in the World Wars.
Former Member of Parliament Tarlochan Singh lauded the decision, describing it as a “historic recognition” of Sikh Canadians’ contributions to the nation’s defence. “The Canadian government has decided to release a commemorative stamp in honour of Sikh Canadian soldiers. The stamp marks over 100 years of Sikh service in the Canadian military, beginning with the ten Sikh soldiers accepted during the First World War,” he said.
The annual Sikh Remembrance Day event is held at the grave of Private Bukkan Singh, the only known Sikh soldier from the World Wars buried in Canada. Private Singh served in the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion during battles in France and Belgium before succumbing to injuries in 1919 at a military hospital in Kitchener, Ontario. His grave, maintained with full military honours, has since become a national symbol of Sikh courage and sacrifice.
The new stamp also honours Sikh soldiers currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, highlighting their continued role in the nation’s military and peacekeeping missions. It reinforces Canada’s recognition of the Sikh community’s deep historical roots and their lasting contribution to the country’s growth.
Canada Post has previously honoured the Sikh community through commemorative stamps including one released in 1999 to mark the 300th anniversary of Baisakhi, featuring the Khanda symbol of divine knowledge, and another in 2014 commemorating the centenary of the Komagata Maru incident, when hundreds of Sikh and Hindu passengers from British India were denied entry to Canada.
Sikhs first arrived in Canada in 1897 as part of a British Army contingent. The latest stamp not only celebrates their historic military service but also acknowledges their integral role in shaping Canada’s multicultural identity and legacy.
