Sikh strong

Vaisakhi, the holiest day of the year in the Sikh faith is fast approaching. To mark this day, let’s take a statistical snapshot of Sikhs in Canada.

During the 2021 Census of Population, 771,790 people in Canada reported belonging to the Sikh faith and could be found in every province and territory.

Canada has the second largest Sikh community in the world following India. More Sikhs live in Canada than in England and Australia combined.

Ontario (300,435) had the largest Sikh community in Canada in 2021, followed closely by British Columbia (290,870). Alberta (103,600) had the largest Sikh community on the Prairies, while Nova Scotia (4,730) had the largest such community in Atlantic Canada and Yukon (385) had the largest one in the territories.

Just under one-third of the Sikhs living in Canada called the census metropolitan area of Toronto home, while over one-quarter lived in Vancouver in 2021.

Over two-thirds of the Sikhs living in Canada at the time of the 2021 Census of Population were first generation, meaning they were born elsewhere and chose to make Canada their home.

Approximately 1 in 50 of the farm population (or 8,960 people) reporting a religious affiliation in the 2021 Census of Agriculture were Sikhs.

Speaking of food, let’s take a look at the price changes for some of the key ingredients that go into a Vaisakhi celebratory feast.

Some Vaisakhi staple ingredients cost more this year, but there are still savings to be had

Food inflation is slowing and February 2024 marked the first month since October 2021 that grocery prices rose at a slower pace than inflation overall.

For those making a tasty aloo paratha this Vaisakhi, flour prices were down 4.4% year over year in February 2024, while potatoes cost 6.8% more. Spices, condiments and vinegars cost 3.5% more.

On a year-over-year basis, the rice for a rich creamy kheer cost 5.3% more in February, whole milk 0.2% more, sugar and syrup, a not-so-sweet 6.4% more and a sprinkling of nuts, 2.4% more.