Baltej Dhillon, a trailblazing Sikh officer who broke barriers in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1991, has been appointed to the Canadian Senate.
Blacklock's Reporter says Dhillon's historic enlistment as the first bearded, turbaned Sikh to join the Mounties sparked controversy and protests at the time.
Despite facing opposition, Dhillon remained committed to serving his community. In an earlier interview, he shared his perspective on those who opposed his enlistment, saying, "There are ignorant people we label as racist and they're not. They just haven't had a chance to meet us yet."
Dhillon's journey began when he immigrated to British Columbia from Malaysia at 16.
He went on to become the first observant Sikh volunteer to pass the RCMP entrance exams in 1988. His appointment to the Senate is a testament to his dedication to public service and his commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
As Dhillon looks back on his experiences, he acknowledges the progress Canada has made in embracing diversity.
"We've matured," he said. "Give our children credit. They are more intelligent than we were. We live in a world of awareness now."
