The Hindu Conference of Canada participated in a press release at Queen's Park with the One School Network, supporting the establishment of a secular One School system in Onatrio :

For Immediate Release:

TORONTO-The Hindu Conference of Canada is pleased to announce its participation in 'Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Week' at Ryerson University, Toronto.
We will be supporting the Hindu Student Association and Hillel (Jewish student group) by screening a movie, distributing literature and making a PowerPoint presentation about Pakistani-sponsored genocide and ethnic cleansing against Hindus in Kashmir.
Hillel will be providing similar information and movie screenings regarding the Jewish Holocaust.
These events will take place from Monday to Thursday, November 6-9th.
(Click Here for Event Brochure)
Schedule:
Ryerson Student Center: Room 115
Movie Screenings and Presentation: Tuesday Nov 7th, 1-3pm
Reading of Names of Victims: Thursday Nov 9th, 12-1pm
Jorgenson Hall Information Booths: Tuesday 10.30-12.30, Thursday 10am-6pm

The Hindu Conference of Canada on October 18th represented the Hindu community at the Bnai Brith Award of Merit gala in downtown Toronto, which featured the attendance and speech of Prime Minister Harper. The award was presented to Jewish-Canadian Walter Arbib and Indo-Canadian Surjit Babra, co-founders of Skylink Aviation, which represents a model of cooperation and amity between the Jewish and Indian communities.

The Hindu Conference of Canada on September 11th participated in the Third International Symposium entitled 'Hate on the Internet', sponsored by Bnai Brith. The event included a moving 9/11 commemoration, and participation of guest panelists such as Stewart Bell (Chief Investigative reporter, National Post), Julian Fantino, and Minister Monte Kwinter (Community Safety).

The Hindu Conference of Canada on August 26th concluded a highly successful community presentation. The speaker was Ms Sheetal Shah of the Hindu American Foundation, who spoke about derogatory stereotyping against Hindu children in North American schools. Specifically, she spoke of the California School Board and recent events involving the bias shown against Hindus in the public school system of that state.

Almost an hour of discussion ensued in the Q&A which followed the presentation. The Hindu Conference of Canada thanks a highly engaged and supportive audience which contributed to an excellent program.

Please click here to see a press report of the event.
WE BRING YOU A SPECIAL FREE SEMINAR , WITH PROMINENT SPEAKERS & CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT

Combating Stereotypes in Education: Hindu Parent-Child Initiative

Saturday, August 26, 2006: 1.45pm-5.30pm
North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto (north of Sheppherd)

Description of Event and Schedule:
Combating Stereotypes in Education-A Hindu Parent-Child Initiative
A free seminar sponsored by the Hindu Conference of Canada with support from the Toronto District School Board. This seminar will seek to identify and address unique challenges that Hindu children face in North American schools.

Program Outline:
1:45-2:15 Introduction and Overview by Falitaa Chabria- Special Events Coordinator, Hindu Conference of Canada
2:15-3:00 Combating Stereotypes in California’s Education System by Sheetal D. Shah- Member of Board, Hindu American Foundation
3:00-3:20 Interactive Question and Answer Session with Sheetal D. Shah
3:20-3:40 Break-Snacks and Refreshments
3:40-4:50 Entertainment: Karaoke/Light Music Program by Venky Iyer's Harmony
4:50-5:10 Closing Comments by Ron Banerjee-Public Relations Director, Hindu Conference of Canada

The Hindu Conference of Canada delivered a presentation to youth at the Toronto Hindu Youth Conference which dealt with stereotyping against Hindus in the media. The presentation was well-received by the audience.
Audio footage of the presentations are available in our Audio-Video Gallery
Click Here to hear the presentation.

Following the Hindu vigil for victims of the Mumbai terror attacks, the Hindu Conference of Canada on July 26th supported and attended the massive Toronto 'Stand for Israel' rally to show solidarity in our shared struggle against terrorism.
The Hindu Conference of Canada was one of the sponsoring organizations for the 'Stand for Israel' rally. Support of this event is consistent with the principles and values of the Hindu community: namely, that freedom-loving people in democracies like India and Israel have a legitimate right to fight terrorism, including military action in neighboring states which tolerate or sponsor terror.

The press release for the Toronto vigil, joined by the major Canadian Hindu groups and covered by Global TV and CTV News, is provided below.
CLICK HERE for pictures of the event.
Canadian Hindus Applaud Israel, Demand Action From India
Peter Kent addresses the vigil.

For Immediate Release:

TORONTO-On July 22nd, in front of the Indian Consulate in Toronto, the Canadian Hindu community gathered to deliver a clear and unequivocal message to the Indian government. The vigil, organized by the Hindu Conference of Canada and Canadian HOPE, and supported by Sanatan Sanstha, Hindu Dharmic Mission, and Hindu Arts & Culture society, paid homage to victims of the Mumbai bombings of 7/11, and demanded that the Indian government take action to protect Indian citizens.

The Canadian Hindu community identified Pakistani state sponsorship of Islamic terrorism as the root cause of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and terror in South Asia. The community furthermore blamed the current "UPA" government of India for gross appeasement of terrorists, and for continuing unproductive 'peace talks' with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Community leaders encouraged India to follow the heroic example of Israel, which has delivered an appropriate and measured response to Islamic terrorism.

Speakers included Ron Banerjee of the Hindu Conference of Canada, Anil Shringi of Canadian HOPE, Nirvan Balkissoon of Hindu Arts & Culture, Dewang Gadaya of Sanatan Sangstha, and Pandit Suraj Persaud of Hindu Dharmic Mission.

Peter Kent, the founding producer/host of The Journal and Conservative Party member, spoke at the event. Additionally, letters of support from the Canadian Jewish Congress and Bnai Brith were read. Incense sticks were lit and Hindu priests said prayers for the victims of the Mumbai attack and the thousands of other innocent men, women, and children slain by Islamic terrorists in South Asia.

Sincerely,
Ron Banerjee

On July 22nd, the Hindu Conference of Canada and Canadian HOPE, with the support of other Canadian Hindu organizations, will be holding a large vigil for the victims of the Mumbai blasts, demanding firm anti-terrorist action from the Indian government.

The event will include speeches by influential leaders in the Hindu community, as well as Conservative Party member Peter Kent; letters of support from Bnai Brith and Canadian Jewish Congress will also be read. Please click here for a copy of our release to the public. Also click here for our letter announcing the event in the National Post.

The Hindu Conference of Canada published a letter in the National Post denouncing the weak anti-national stance of the Indian UPA government with respect to Pakistani state-sponsored terrorism, and encouraging a tougher stance similar to that adopted by our sister democracy, Israel. (click here)
This letter follows our press releases to the Indian and Canadian press related to the issue of Islamist terrorism (see below).

The Hindu Conference of Canada has issued statements condemning the Indian terrorist attacks, and urging the Indian and Canadian governments to take action to prevent these occurrences. We have issued releases to the Indian press (click here) and to the Canadian press (click here). We have outlined to both governments some of the reasons underlying terrorism in India, and encouraged appropriate action.

The Hindu Conference of Canada articulates for Canadians why imam ul Haq's Canadian visit is inappropriate: click here to see editorial.

The Hindu Conference of Canada is a sponsoring organization for an evening of complimentary food and entertainment featuring Carnatic bhajans by Radhakalyan. Please click here for details.

The Hindu Conference of Canada is one of the participating organizations and has lent support to the movie 'Obsession: Radical Islam's War on the West'.

A limited number of complimentary tickets to the screening are available for our members; please email us for details.

Speakers after the movie will include Stockwell Day, Canadian Minister for Public Safety, and victims of the Air India terrorist bombing.

The Hindu Conference of Canada is dismayed by the actions of Canadian politicians, law enforcement, and media in the aftermath of the arrests of Islamic terrorists in Toronto. In particular, we are alarmed at the preferential treatment being shown towards the Islamic community, while the more vulnerable Hindu community is being ignored.

We have been interviewed by the Toronto Sun [ Click Here ]. Additionally, we have communicated with Lt Governor of Ontario Bartleman [ Click Here ] and Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair [ Click Here ] to express our concern with the lack of consideration being shown towards the Canadian Hindu community. We have received no response from either. Both of these individuals have held press conferences with Islamic leaders within the last week to affirm support and protection for the Muslim community, and have our ignored request for consideration

In our judgment, this lack of response reflects preferential treatment towards Muslims. As taxpayers, we are entitled to equal protection and consideration. Statistically, in the wake of terrorist incidents, Hindus suffer from racial attacks more than Muslims, due perhaps to the preferential treatment and extra protection provided to the Islamic community. The Hindu Conference of Canada will continue to demand fair and equitable treatment for the Hindu community.