Hinduism in Canada

Immigration from India to Canada began in 1903-4.{{Cite web |last=Heritage |first=Canadian |date=2024-11-01 |title=Statement by Minister Khera on Hindu Heritage Month |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2024/10/statement-by-minister-khera-on-hindu-heritage-month.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=www.canada.ca}} Early records list Hindus and Sikhs together with the majority being Sikh. Immigrants faced intense hostility in British Columbia, leading to a sharp decline in numbers, with entry granted to women and children following World War I. In the 1960s, mounting pressure from India led to the liberalization of Canadian immigration policies. Many Hindus from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, along with Hindu Indian diasporic communities in Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and eastern African nations such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania arrived to Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Library and Archives |date=2012-04-17 |title=East Indian |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/east-indian.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808013646/https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/history-ethnic-cultural/Pages/east-indian.aspx |archive-date=2014-08-08 |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=www.bac-lac.gc.ca}}{{Cite web |title=Hinduism {{!}} The Canadian Encyclopedia |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hinduism |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca}}

Early Hindus maintained their religious traditions in mostly hostile environment which viewed them as a threat to the British culture and way of life of the time.{{Cite web |title=Indo-Canadians in 1920s and 1930s |url=http://www.ahsnb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Indo-Canadians-1920s-and-1930s.pdf |access-date=4 June 2021 |website=AHSNB Project}}{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=February 2025}} These male pioneers could not marry brides from India up until the 1930s, and did not have the right to vote in Federal elections until 1947. Religious life was centred around homes and Bhajans organized by community members.{{Failed verification|date=February 2025}}

Canadian Hindus generally come from three groups. The first group is primarily made up of Indian immigrants who began arriving in British Columbia. Hindus from all over India continue to immigrate to Canada. This first wave of Hindu immigrants to arrive in Canada came from nations that were historically under European colonial rule, such as British Raj, Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and parts of coastal Eastern Africa.{{Cite journal |last=Wood |first=John R. |date=1978 |title=East Indians and Canada's New Immigration Policy |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3549977 |journal=Canadian Public Policy |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=547–567 |doi=10.2307/3549977 |issn=0317-0861 |jstor=3549977|url-access=subscription }} The second major group of Hindus immigrated from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. In the case of Sri Lankan Hindus, their history in Canada goes back to the 1940s, when a few hundred Sri Lankan Tamils migrated to Canada.{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Mike |date=2019-12-24 |title=Opinion {{!}} For some Tamil-Canadians in Scarborough, Sri Lanka's war isn't over |url=https://www.toronto.com/opinion-story/9771942-for-some-tamil-canadians-in-scarborough-sri-lanka-s-war-isn-t-over/ |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=Toronto.com |language=en-CA}} The 1983 communal riots and later civil war in Sri Lanka precipitated the mass exodus of Tamils with over 500,000 finding refuge in countries including Canada, the UK, Australia, United States, France and Switzerland. Since then Sri Lankan Tamils have been immigrating to Canada in particular the Greater Toronto Area. A third group is made up of European Canadians not from Hindu backgrounds, including the Hare Krishna movement.{{Cite web |title=Hare Krishna abandoned street chanting in robes years ago |url=https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/hare-krishna-abandoned-street-chanting-in-robes-years-ago |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=torontosun |language=en-CA}} The Toronto district of Scarborough has a particularly high concentration of Hindus, with Hinduism being the dominant religion in several neighbourhoods.{{Cite web |date=2011-09-20 |title=Hare Krishna: The Rise in Krishna Consciousness |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sam-singh/hare-krishna-rise-in-krishna-consciousness_b_954954.html |access-date=2021-06-04 |website=HuffPost Canada |language=en}}

The government pledged to resettle 6500 Bhutanese refugees of Nepalese ethnicity by 2012.The majority of Bhutanese Nepali are Hindus. By 2014 Lethbridge was home to the largest Bhutanese community in Canada.{{cite web |last1=Tams |first1=Kim |date=13 May 2014 |title=Lethbridge home to the largest Bhutanese community in Canada |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1329208/lethbridge-home-to-the-largest-bhutanese-community-in-canada/ |access-date=5 December 2020 |publisher=Global News}} Nearly 6,600 Bhutanese Nepali, also called Lhotshampa had settled in Canada by the end of 2015, with approximately 1,300 in Lethbridge by August 2016.{{cite web |last1=Klingbeil |first1=Annalise |date=22 August 2016 |title=How Lethbridge became Canada's Bhutanese capital |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/how-lethbridge-became-canadas-bhutanese-capital |access-date=5 December 2020 |publisher=Calgary Herald}}

{{Historical populations

|type =

|footnote = 1961 and 1971 are partial and based on immigration data, real figures are substantially higher.{{Cite web|last=Government of Canada|first=Statistics Canada|title=Topic-based tabulation: Selected Demographic and Cultural Characteristics (104), Selected Religions (35A), Age Groups (6) and Sex (3) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories and Census Metropolitan Areas, 2001 Census|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/English/census01/products/standard/themes/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=67771&PRID=0&PTYPE=55430,53293,55440,55496,71090&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2001&THEME=56&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=|access-date=2022-11-13|website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}{{Cite web|last=Government of Canada|first=Statistics Canada|date=2013-05-08|title=2011 National Household Survey: Data tables – Religion (108), Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (11), Age Groups (10) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/dt-td/Rp-eng.cfm?TABID=2&LANG=E&A=R&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=01&GL=-1&GID=1118296&GK=1&GRP=0&O=D&PID=105399&PRID=0&PTYPE=105277&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2013&THEME=95&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&D1=0&D2=0&D3=0&D4=0&D5=0&D6=0|access-date=2021-06-14|website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}

|1961 | 460

|1971 | 9790

|1981 | 69505

|1991 | 157015

|2001 | 297200

|2011 | 497200

|2021|828,195}}

The Hindu Population in Canada according to the 2021 National Household Survey.

The Hindu Population in Canada by major Census Metropolitan Areas according to the 2021 Census.

1. Toronto CMA - 457,825

2. Metro Vancouver - 66,530

3. Metro Montreal - 45,565

4. Metro Calgary - 34,920

5. Metro Edmonton - 33,905

6. Metro Ottawa - 21,205

7. Metro Winnipeg - 14,925

The Hindu Population percentage in Canada by federal electoral district according to the 2021 Census.

1. Brampton East - 23.8%

2. Brampton West - 20.4%

3. Scarborough—Woburn - 19.4%

4. Brampton South - 17.1%

5. Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park - 16.2%

6. Brampton North—Caledon - 15.3%

7. Mississauga—Malton - 14.8%

8. Scarborough North - 14.7%

9. Etobicoke North - 14.3%

10. Markham—Thornhill - 14.3%

11. Brampton—Chinguacousy Park - 13.1%

12. Brampton Centre - 12.5%

13. Mississauga Centre - 12.2%

14. Ajax - 11.6%

15. Markham—Stouffville - 10.2%

1. Surrey—Newton - 8.1%

2. Surrey Centre - 7.6%

3. Fleetwood—Port Kells - 5.2%

4. Vancouver South - 4.5%

5. Delta - 3.9%

6. Vancouver Kingsway - 3.9%

1. Edmonton Southeast - 9.4%

2. Edmonton Mill Woods - 7.3%

3. Edmonton Gateway - 7.2%

4. Calgary Skyview - 6.9%

5. Calgary McKnight - 6.0%

1. Pierrefonds—Dollard - 4.8%

2. Papineau - 3.9%

3. Saint-Laurent - 3.8%

1. Winnipeg South - 4.4%

Source:{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=9810034201 | title=Add/Remove data - Religion by visible minority and generation status: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts | date=26 October 2022 }}

Total: 828,195

South Asian: 768,785

Visible minority (no further defined): 34,545

Multiracial: 8,715

White: 4,385

Southeast Asian: 4,150

Black: 3,780

Latin American: 2,815

West Asian: 720

Chinese: 175

Filipino: 60

Arab: 45

Korean: 10

{{Main|List of Hindu temples in Canada}}

File:Hindu Heritage Centre Front.JPG in Mississauga]]

These communities have formed over 1000 temple societies across the country that essentially functions community organizations. Some of these associations also have established private schools in Tamil to compete with non-religious and Catholic school boards that most Hindu students go to.{{Cite web|title=History of South Asians in Canada: Timeline · South Asian Canadian Heritage|url=https://www.southasiancanadianheritage.ca/history-of-south-asians-in-canada/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=South Asian Canadian Heritage|language=en-US}}

One of the earliest Hindu temples in Canada was in rural Nova Scotia in Auld's Cove in 1971. Hindu Sanstha of Nova Scotia was formed by some 25 families living in the area at the time.File:BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto.jpg, Toronto]]The largest Hindu temple in Canada is BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto . It consists of two separate buildings, one of them being the mandir itself and the other being the Haveli, home to a large Sabha Hall, several religious bookstores, a small prayer room, the country's largest Indo-Canadian museum, a water fountain and a large gymnasium. It is the only Mandir built using Hindu traditions. The temple is built in the traditional Hindu style of Shikharbaddha mandir, which is made accordingly to the principles laid out in Shilpa Shastras, scared Hindu texts that describe the canons of traditionally architecture, and describes how the structure of a shikharbaddha mandir symbolically reflects the body of Purusha, or Cosmic Man.{{Cite book |last=Elgood |first=Heather |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/271467496 |title=Hinduism and the religious arts |date=2000 |publisher=Cassell |isbn=978-0-8264-9865-6 |location=London |oclc=271467496}} It took $40 million to build and opened in 2007, surpassing Hindu Sabha Temple in nearby Brampton, which held the old record. The entire mandir is {{convert|32000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=Hindu Sabha Temple Hall Rentals - Hall Rentals in Brampton, ON|url=https://localservices.sulekha.com/hindu-sabha-temple-hall-rentals_brampton-on_821181|access-date=2021-04-02|website=localservices.sulekha.com|language=en}}{{Citation|last=Grant|first=Hamish|title=Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton|date=2007-02-21|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigdaddyhame/398629950/|access-date=2021-04-02}}

File:Sringeri Temple of Toronto.jpg]]

There are several organizations representing the Hindu community in Canada. Among them the Hindu Canadian Network is the most prominent umbrella organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2008/05/c7592.html |title=THE BELINDA STRONACH FOUNDATION | Tony Blair and Belinda Stronach Join in collaboration with Canadian faith and belief leaders |publisher=Newswire.ca |date=2008-12-05 |access-date=2012-07-26}}[http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/CNW.20081205.C7592/GIStory Archived copy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907134143/http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/CNW.20081205.C7592/GIStory|date=September 7, 2009}}

According to a survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute in 2013, 42% of the Canadians had a favorable opinion of Hinduism which increased to 49% in the 2016 survey. When asked—would it be acceptable or unacceptable to you if one of your children were to marry a Hindu—in February 2017, 54% Canadians said that it would be acceptable, as compared to 37% in September 2013.

According to another survey by the Angus Reid Institute, 32% of respondents say that the influence of Hinduism “in Canada and Canadian public life” is growing. However, the study also found that a majority of Canadians (67%) “don’t know anything/understand very little” about Hinduism, while 4% “understand very well”.{{Cite web|url = https://indianewengland.com/2017/11/32-percent-canadians-feel-hinduism-influence-growing/|title = 32 percent Canadians feel Hinduism influence growing|date = 17 November 2017|access-date = 26 February 2019|archive-date = 19 August 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210819003713/https://indianewengland.com/2017/11/32-percent-canadians-feel-hinduism-influence-growing/|url-status = dead}}

Hindus in Canada are able to create communities that not only follow religious practices but also provide education, counselling, support and outreach services. These communities allow many Hindus from overseas to comfortably adapt when immigrating to Canada. When Hindu institutions and worldviews are not mirrored in the migrated country, it can hinder the process of adaptation through isolation and loss of identity.{{Cite journal|last=Trouillet|first=Pierre-Yves|date=2012-12-28|title=Overseas Temples and Tamil Migratory Space|url=http://journals.openedition.org/samaj/3415|journal=South Asia Multidisciplinary Academic Journal|language=en|issue=6|doi=10.4000/samaj.3415|issn=1960-6060|doi-access=free}} Racial-ethnic identity development involves identifying with and relating to a specific group and is found to be associated with particular health behaviors and mental health outcomes.{{Cite web|title=Adaptation and Acculturation {{!}} Caring for Kids New to Canada|url=https://www.kidsnewtocanada.ca/culture/adaptation|access-date=2021-04-09|website=www.kidsnewtocanada.ca}}

Deepak Obhrai was the first Hindu MP in Canada. Anita Anand, Chandra Arya, Arpan Khanna, and Shuvaloy Majumdar have since been elected as MPs.{{Cite web |url=http://hindueducationlink.com/few-hindus-enter-canadian-politics/ |title=Few Hindus enter Canadian politics – Hindu Education Link |access-date=2019-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127035523/http://hindueducationlink.com/few-hindus-enter-canadian-politics/ |archive-date=2019-01-27 |url-status=dead }} Vim Kochhar was the first Hindu appointed to the Senate,{{Cite web|date=2010-01-30|title=India-born CEO appointed senator in Canada|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-born-ceo-appointed-senator-in-canada/story-0ZRQWPY7aZDXZ8RG5cVaAM.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} Raj Sherman was the first Hindu to lead a Canadian political party).{{Cite web|title=Living in interesting times could prove to be a curse|url=https://www.stalberttoday.ca/your-view/living-in-interesting-times-could-prove-to-be-a-curse-1274385|access-date=2021-06-04|website=StAlbertToday.ca|date=19 March 2011 |language=en}} Anita Anand is the first Hindu cabinet minister in Canada. She became a cabinet minister in 2019.{{cite news |title=Meet Anita Indira Anand, a law professor who became Canada's first Hindu minister |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/meet-anita-indira-anand-a-law-professor-who-became-canadas-first-hindu-minister/articleshow/72154781.cms|date=21 November 2019 |newspaper=Businessinsider |department=City: World|access-date=29 January 2020}} Despite Hindus making up 2.3% of Canada’s population according to the 2021 Census, they are significantly underrepresented in federal politics, with only 1.2% of Members of Parliament (4 out of 338) elected in the 2021 federal election identifying as Hindu. {{Cite web |date=2024-11-03 |title=Hindu Flag on Parliament Hill: MP Chandra Arya's Powerful Statement on Canadian Politics pointing 'underrepresentation'. |url=https://hinduexistence.org/2024/11/03/hindu-flag-on-parliament-hill-mp-chandra-aryas-powerful-statement-on-canadian-politics-pointing-underrepresentation/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Struggle for Hindu Existence |language=en}}

{{Prose|date=July 2024|section}}

According to Juris Pupcenoks, violent Sikh extremism spread to Canada in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star and Canadian Sikh radicals made public pledges to kill Hindus.{{Cite book |last=Pupcenoks |first=Juris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y7A0CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA14 |title=Western Muslims and Conflicts Abroad: Conflict Spillovers to Diasporas |date=2015-12-07 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-42632-5 |pages=15 |language=en}} Former CSIS agent, Bob Burgoyne, stated that Sikh extremists threatened to kill thousands of Hindus through various means, including by blowing up Air India flights.{{Cite web |last=BUREAU |first=Richard Brennan OTTAWA |date=2007-05-22 |title=Sikh anger surprised CSIS |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/sikh-anger-surprised-csis/article_02600aa9-0b8b-5266-bc64-11c34720166c.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}

• In 1984, Ajaib Singh Bagri, a man accused of playing a role in the Air India bombing, declared "Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest" at the founding convention of the World Sikh Organization.{{Cite web |date=2009-06-01 |title=CBC News In Depth: Sikh politics in Canada |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sikh-politics-canada/index.html |access-date=2024-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601022355/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sikh-politics-canada/index.html |archive-date=2009-06-01 }}{{Cite news |date=2003-12-02 |title=Air-India accused rallied Sikhs to kill Hindus |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/air-india-accused-rallied-sikhs-to-kill-hindus/article1169715/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA |quote="They say Hindus are our brothers. Many have said that," Mr. Bagri said at the rally. "But I give you my most solemn assurance. Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest." }}
• In 2013, a Hindu temple in Surrey had three windows smashed. A baseball bat found there after the attack had Sikh markings.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/surrey-hindu-temple-vandals-caught-on-camera-1.1385319|title=Surrey Hindu temple vandals caught on camera|date=24 June 2013 |work=cbc.ca}}
• In 2022, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Toronto was defaced with anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti. The Indian High Commission to Canada subsequently condemned the act. Chandra Arya, Nepean MP, also condemned the hate crime and expressed concern of rising incidents in recent times. Sonia Sidhu, Brampton South MP, condemned the incident and asserted it to be unacceptable in multicultural society.{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=2022-09-15 |title=Anti-India graffiti on Swaminarayan temple in Toronto; India raises issue with Canada |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/anti-india-graffiti-on-swaminarayan-temple-in-toronto-india-raises-issue-with-canada/article65893305.ece |access-date=2022-09-15 |issn=0971-751X}} Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton expressed his disappointment. Ruby Sahota, Brampton North MP, termed the hate crime 'disgusting' and demanded punishment for the criminals.{{Cite web |last=Mukhopadhyay |first=Sounak |date=2022-09-15 |title=Temple in Canada vandalised with anti-India graffiti |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/world/baps-swaminarayan-mandir-temple-in-canada-vandalised-with-anti-india-graffiti-strong-reactions-pour-in-11663209510265.html |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=mint}}
• In July 2022, a Gandhi statue in a Hindu temple in Richmond Hill was defaced with pro Khalistan graffiti which included the words "rapist" and "Khalistan". The incident was described as a hate crime by York Regional Police.{{Cite news |title=Statue of Gandhi defaced at Hindu temple in Richmond Hill, police investigating it as hate crime |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gandhi-statue-defaced-richmond-hill-1.6519873 |work=CBC}}
• In January, 2023 the Gauri Shankar Temple of Brampton was defaced with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti. Consulate General of India in Toronto condemned the act and asked the Canadian authorities to investigate into the matter.{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2023-01-30 |title=Heritage Hindu temple defaced with anti-India graffiti in Canada|work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/heritage-hindu-temple-defaced-with-anti-india-graffiti-in-canada/article66452113.ece |access-date=2023-01-31 |issn=0971-751X}} Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the hate crime.{{Cite news |title=After Australia, it's Canada again -- Hindu temple vandalised |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/after-australia-its-canada-again-hindu-temple-vandalised/articleshow/97471953.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-01-31}} Chandra Arya, Nepean MP, condemned the anti-Hindu attack and called authorities for taking the rising crimes against Hindus seriously.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-31 |title=Heritage Hindu Temple Defaced with Anti-India Graffiti in Canada |url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/prominent-hindu-temple-defaced-with-anti-india-graffiti-in-canada-pro-khalistani-groups-involved-6955381.html |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=News18 |language=en}} The founder and priest of temple Shri Dhirendra Tripathi said "Khalistanis have caused fear among us. They have become emboldened and the community is uncertain about their next actions. Canadian authorities should take stern steps to curb their activities".{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2023-01-31 |title=Priest of Hindu temple vandalised in Canada urges revocation of passports of those involved |url=https://theprint.in/world/priest-of-hindu-temple-vandalised-in-canada-urges-revocation-of-passports-of-those-involved/1344867/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}
• In February 2023, the Ram Mandir of Mississauga was defaced with anti-India graffiti.{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2023-02-15 |title=Another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada; India seeks swift action|work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/another-hindu-temple-vandalised-in-canada-india-seeks-swift-action/article66511253.ece |access-date=2023-02-15 |issn=0971-751X}} The spray paint also described Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a martyr.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=Another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada's Ontario province |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/baps-hindu-temple-in-canada-defaced-with-anti-india-graffiti-fifth-incident-since-july-2020-no-arrests-made-yet-101680718358151.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} The Indian Consulate General in Toronto issued a statement condemning the attack. Mr. Patrick Brown, Brampton Mayor condemned the incident stressing the importance of religious freedom and assured an investigation by the Peel Police.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-15 |title=Another Hindu temple defaced in Canada; India seeks action |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/international/another-hindu-temple-defaced-in-canada-india-seeks-action-1191371.html |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=Deccan Herald}} Canadian Minister of National Defence Anita Anand and Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly expressed solidarity with the Hindu community facing repeated vandalism of their places of worship.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=Canada: Ministers condemn desecration of Hindu temple in Toronto |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/canada-ministers-condemn-desecration-of-hindu-temple-in-toronto-101676534032785.html |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Hindustan Times}} The police have not investigated the motive behind the hate-crime.{{Cite web |title=Brampton mayor, faith leaders, police condemn vandalism at Hindu temples in GTA |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/patrick-brown-vandalism-hindu-temples-peel-region-1.6757278 |website=CBC}}
• In April 2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple of Windsor, Ontario was vandalized with anti-Hindu graffiti.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=Another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada's Ontario province |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/baps-hindu-temple-in-canada-defaced-with-anti-india-graffiti-fifth-incident-since-july-2020-no-arrests-made-yet-101680718358151.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} The Windsor Police acknowledged the hate-motived factor in the act.{{Cite news |last=ANI |date=2023-04-06 |title=Canada: Hindu temple vandalised in Windsor, police launches investigation |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/canada-hindu-temple-vandalised-in-windsor-police-launches-investigation/article66705909.ece |access-date=2023-04-06 |issn=0971-751X}} The Ministry of External Affairs of India issued a statement condemning the hate crime.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-06 |title=MEA condemns Hindu temple vandalisation in Canada, calls it 'unfortunate' |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mea-condemns-hindu-temple-vandalisation-in-canada-calls-it-unfortunate-11680780166798.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=mint |language=en}}
• In April 2023, the leader of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, condemned the growing number of anti-Hindu incidents in the country. In an interview with Prime Asia, he stated: “We have to stop Hinduphobia and nasty comments that are made about Hindus and the vandalism and other violence targeting Hindu Canadians. This is totally unacceptable.” Referring to the incidents of Hindu temples being vandalized, he proposed giving places of worship government funds for security equipment and resources.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-24 |title=Canadian MP condemns growing Hinduphobia in nation |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/conservative-party-leader-speaks-out-against-growing-hinduphobia-in-canada-calls-for-increased-security-for-places-of-worship-101682318535178.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
• In July 2023, a pro-Khalistan poster was spotted outside the Bharat Mata Temple in Brampton targeting Indian diplomats to Canada. The temple volunteers removed the poster.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-08 |title=Toronto temple defaced with posters targeting Indian diplomats ahead of pro-Khalistan rally |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/indocanadians-organize-rally-to-counter-anti-india-poster-in-toronto-as-pro-khalistan-elements-plan-freedom-rally-101688791104638.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
• In July, 2023, the sign board of Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in Brampton was vandalized with anti-India graffiti which was condemned by the City Council terming the vandalism as 'an attack on a faith community'. Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, claimed he was outraged with the incident. Members of local Hindu community expressed their disappointment. Later, the city workers restored the sign board by removing the graffiti.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-15 |title=Park sign defaced with anti-India grafitti in Canada |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/vandalism-targets-signage-at-shri-bhagavad-gita-park-in-brampton-gta-city-expresses-disappointment-and-zero-tolerance-101689396225430.html |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
• In August 2023, the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey was vandalized with anti India and pro Khalistan posters placed on its front gate and rear wall.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-13 |title=Hindu temple desecrated in Canada's British Columbia; 'Wanted' posters of Indian consulate officials put up |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/canada-hindu-temple-desecrated-lakshmi-narayan-mandir-british-columbia-hardeep-singh-nijjar-killing-101691897722101.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}
• In September 2023, Sikhs for Justice warned Indo-Canadian Hindus in a video to "leave Canada" and "go to India" and further accused Hindus of being disloyal to Canada, in the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement that Indian government agents may have played a role in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=Nijjar killing: Sikhs for Justice asks Hindus of Indian origin to leave Canada |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/nijjar-killing-sikhs-for-justice-asks-hindus-of-indian-origin-to-leave-canada-101695183977090.html |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |quote=Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India in 2019, has threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and “promoting violence” by celebrating Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing.}}{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Dylan |title=India warns students as Nijjar's lawyer asks Indo-Hindu to leave Canada |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/india-claims-students-at-risk-after-envoy-insists-safety |website=National Post}} The video was condemned by numerous Canadian politicians, including ministers in the federal cabinet and federal party leaders.{{Cite web |title=Canadian ministers condemn SFJ video asking Hindus of Indian origin to leave nation |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/canadian-ministers-condemn-sfj-video-asking-hindus-of-indian-origin-to-leave-nation-101695356891473.html |website=Hindustan Times|date=22 September 2023 }}
• In September–October 2023, 6 Hindu temples were broken into in Ontario, with 3 temples broken into in a single night.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-12 |title=Canada: At least 6 break-ins at Hindu temples in Ontario province |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/canada-at-least-6-break-ins-at-hindu-temples-in-ontario-province-101697112119168.html |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-15 |title=Canada: 6 Hindu Temple Break-Ins In 60 Days Caught On Camera, 3 On One Night |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/canada-6-hindu-temple-break-ins-in-60-days-caught-on-camera-3-on-one-night-article-104441712 |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=TimesNow |language=en}} Surveillance videos show a large amount of cash being taken from the donation boxes, with an attempt to break into a safe in one of the temples.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-13 |title=Man in Canada sneaks into 3 Hindu temples, steals cash from donation boxes |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/man-in-canada-sneaks-into-3-hindu-temples-steals-cash-from-donation-boxes/articleshow/104381019.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-11-03 |issn=0971-8257}} The temples included the Chitpurni Temple, the Rameshwar Mandir in Caledon, the Hindu Heritage Center in Mississauga, the Hindu Mandir Durham in Pickering, the Devi Mandir in Pickering, and the Sankat Mochan Mandir in Ajax.{{Cite web |title=Now, spate of robberies in Canada temples |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/now-spate-of-robberies-in-canada-temples-552732 |website=Tribune News}}
• In July 2024, a BAPS temple in Edmonton was vandalized with graffiti labelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepean MP Chandra Arya as "Hindu terrorist(s)". A video of the desecration was promoted on social media. Several groups, including the Consulate General of India in Vancouver, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce, and the US-based Hindu American Foundation, condemned the incident and called for Canadian authorities to investigate, citing a 'growing tide of Hinduphobia in Canada'. Several elected members of government, including Randy Boissonnault, Terry Duguid, Tim Uppal, and Edmonton mayor Amarjeet Sohi condemned the incident as an 'act of hate that goes against Canadian values'.{{Cite news |date=2024-07-23 |title=Canada: Another Hindu temple vandalised, MP calls for action |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/canada-another-hindu-temple-vandalised-mp-calls-for-action/articleshow/111948409.cms?from=mdr#google_vignette |access-date=2024-07-31 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} Chandra Arya reiterated his concerns surrounding growing Khalistani extremism and called on law enforcement authorities to take action, stating "Like a broken record, I again call on Canadian law enforcement agencies to take this issue seriously before these rhetorics get translated into physical action against Hindu-Canadians.” In response, US-based Khalistan separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu called for Arya and other Hindu-Canadians to return to India.{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharyya |first=Anirudh |title=Canada's Alberta Temple vandalised with Hinduphobic graffiti |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/canadas-alberta-temple-vandalised-with-hinduphobic-graffiti-101721724576948.html |website=Hindustan Times|date=23 July 2024 }}{{Cite web |last=Padmanabhan |first=Keshav |date=2024-07-24 |title=Go back to 'motherland' India, says Pannun after Canada Hindu MP talks of temple vandalism |url=https://theprint.in/world/go-back-to-motherland-india-says-pannun-after-canada-hindu-mp-talks-of-temple-vandalism/2189263/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}
• In August 2024, a pro Khalistan group gathered at a venue for an Indian Independence Day parade, and were heard shouting "Canadian Hindus go back to India". In the days preceding the event, the secessionist group, Sikhs for Justice, circulated flyers calling for a "face-off" between Khalistani Sikhs and Canadian Hindus. Pierre Poilievre condemned the incident and described the calls from the Khalistani group "absolutely unacceptable" and stated that "“Hindus have the right to worship, to raise their families, to live in peace, without intimidation or threats". He further accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of dividing communities.{{Cite news |title=Opposition leader condemns pro-Khalistan calls for Hindus to leave Canada |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/opposition-leader-condemns-pro-khalistan-calls-for-hindus-to-leave-canada-101726310644369.html |work=Hindustan Times}}
• In November 2024, Khalistani demonstrators attacked people outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton with flag poles. Justin Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh, along with other Canadian politicians, condemned the incident.{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Bryann |date=2024-11-03 |title=Police increase their presence at Hindu temple in Brampton after protest |url=https://www.cp24.com/local/peel/2024/11/03/peel-police-investigating-incident-during-protest-at-hindu-temple-in-brampton/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=CP24 |language=en}} As a result of the violence, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown announced he that he intended to introduce a motion at city council to prohibit protests outside places of worship in Brampton.{{Cite web |last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca |first=Zone Justice et faits divers- |date=2024-11-04 |title=3 arrested and charged after protest at Brampton Hindu temple, police say |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/2117369/3-arrested-and-charged-after-protest-at-brampton-hindu-temple-police-say |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Radio-Canada.ca |language=fr-ca}} An off duty Peel Police sergeant Harinder Sohi was suspended from duty for participating in the protest. Sohi was filmed holding a Khalistan flag outside the temple.{{Cite news |title=Peel cop suspended after participating in protest outside Hindu temple |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/peel-officer-suspended-hindu-temple-protest-1.7372954 |work=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}{{Cite web |title=Who Is The Suspended Cop Harinder Sohi And What Happened At The Pro-Khalistan Protest? |url=https://thedailyguardian.com/who-is-the-suspended-cop-harinder-sohi-and-what-happened-at-the-pro-khalistan-protest/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=TheDailyGuardian |date=4 November 2024 |language=en}} In a social media post, a police officer was seen charging at a temple-goer and punching him, seemingly without provocation.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=Video: Canadian cop punches Hindu man protesting against pro-Khalistan mob attack |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/canada-brampton-temple-attack-peel-police-assault-hindu-community-indians-khalistan-mob-viral-video-2627588-2024-11-04 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/29/india/clashes-hindu-sikh-canada-india-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Clashes erupted outside a Hindu temple near Toronto. They're the latest sign of Canada and India's spiraling relations|date=29 November 2024 |publisher=CNN}}

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• List of Hindu temples in Canada
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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150321131354/http://www.owlib.com/dir/dir.show?cat_id=2111 List of Hindu temples in Canada]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20051219130908/http://www.diversitywatch.ryerson.ca/backgrounds/hindu.htm Background of Hindus in Canada]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060418014604/http://www.hindu.org/temples-ashrams/#Canada Hindu temples in Canada]

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