Sikyong Penpa Tsering visits Calgary, urges Tibetan unity and cultural preservation
Calgary [Canada], May 27 (ANI): Sikyong Penpa Tsering, leader of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), arrived in Calgary, Canada, on May 24. As part of his ongoing official trip, he received a warm reception from the Tibetan community and representatives of the Tibetan Association of Alberta (TAA), according to a report from the CTA. During his visit, he addressed key political issues concerning Tibet.
The TAA President opened the event with welcoming remarks and presented certificates of appreciation to former executive members. This was followed by introductory comments from Dr. Namgyal Choedup, the Representative of the Office of Tibet in Washington, DC, who outlined the goals of Sikyong's visit, according to a report by the CTA.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressed the current political landscape regarding Tibet, discussed the CTA's ongoing interactions with international stakeholders, and stressed the necessity for unity among the Tibetan diaspora. Highlighting the significance of empowering youth and fostering community involvement, he encouraged Tibetans in Canada to stay dedicated to preserving their cultural heritage and supporting the Tibetan cause.
Sikyong remarked that Tibetans have set themselves apart from other refugee communities due to their resilience and collective spirit. He noted that the Tibetan cause has remained prominent on the global stage largely thanks to the steadfast commitment of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the indomitable courage of Tibetans living in Tibet.
He reiterated the Kashag's strong determination to address the Sino-Tibetan conflict through dialogue based on the Middle Way Approach, a policy framework conceived by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and supported by the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, the CTA report stated.
Sikyong further emphasised the teachings and guidance of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, particularly stressing His Holiness's Four Principal Commitments: the promotion of human values, fostering religious harmony, preserving Tibetan culture and the environment, and reviving ancient Indian wisdom. He urged the Tibetan community to integrate these values into their personal and collective lives.
During his speech to the Tibetan community in Canada, Sikyong Penpa Tsering highlighted the significance of the Green Book, issued by the Department of Finance of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). He clarified that the Green Book certifies an individual's Tibetan identity in exile and represents the collective acknowledgement of the CTA as the sole legitimate representative of the Tibetan people.
The visit concluded with a community gathering, where members of the Tibetan diaspora expressed their gratitude, followed by a formal vote of thanks from the Tibetan Association of Alberta, as highlighted in the CTA report. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Air passenger rights group files court challenge to 'unconstitutional' rules it says muzzle travellers
Social Sharing Jill Rorabeck says she wishes she'd never turned to Canada's airline regulator to settle her dispute with Swoop Airlines. Not only did the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) side with the airline, Rorabeck can't even share the details of her dispute. The Toronto woman submitted a complaint almost three years ago with the CTA, which acts as a mediator between airlines and passengers in air travel complaints. She learned in January that she lost her case, but due to legislation passed in 2023 that prevents passengers from sharing full details of CTA decisions, she's not allowed to reveal key information about what happened. "No one can warn others about their experiences," said Rorabeck. "There is zero accountability on the part of the airlines or the CTA." The Air Passenger Rights organization — a Halifax-based nonprofit — has now filed a constitutional challenge in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice, arguing Canadians should have access to the decisions made by the CTA's quasi-judicial tribunal. "We believe that the way the complaint process has been set up at the Canadian Transportation Agency violates fundamental rights," said Air Passenger Rights founder Gábor Lukács. At issue is section 85.09(1) of the Canadian Transportation Act, which says once the CTA issues a decision, neither the airline nor the passenger involved is allowed to openly share the details — unless both parties agree. Since that rule was implemented, not a single case has been made fully public, which Lukács says gives airlines the strategic advantage of having access to previous rulings while passengers remain unaware of how complaints are being decided. "The only entities that benefit from this are the airlines," said Lukács. "Individual passengers don't have the experience or don't have the knowledge of what arguments work and don't work while the airlines compile these huge databases of their own cases." Prior to the 2023 changes, full decisions issued by the CTA were posted online, but now only basic information is available. So key details, such as the reasons behind a ruling, remain confidential. The regulator says the new system is faster, fair and more efficient. The lawsuit argues that the CTA has a quasi-judicial role, so rules that muzzle passengers violate the open court principle in law, which says court proceedings should be open to the public. It's a fundamental aspect of a democratic justice system, ensuring transparency and public confidence in the legal process, says Paul Daly, a constitutional lawyer and research chair in the Administrative Law and Governance program at the University of Ottawa. "The fact that decisions are not published and proceedings are kept confidential, it tilts the playing field in favour of the airlines," said Daly. "I, you or anyone else should be able to walk into any courthouse in the country any day of the week and attend a hearing or access documents … that are in the registry." As part of its legal argument, Air Passenger Rights asked for the decisions, reasons and all documents for five air passenger complaint files last July in an effort to demonstrate that the CTA systematically denies all such requests. The secretariat of the agency denied the request a month later, citing section 85.09(1) of the Canadian Transport Act as the basis for its refusal. "They are trying to use this provision as a way of refusing to disclose information that should be disclosed," Lukács said. The lawsuit argues that the current rules prevent Air Passenger Rights from doing its job, because it needs to know how complaints are being decided in order to provide information and resources to passengers and push for improvements. It also argues that the secrecy around decisions prevents media and other organizations from "effectively communicating information about air passenger complaint proceedings." The lawsuit calls for a hearing to be held by video conference. No date for the hearing has been set.
Canada Standard
2 days ago
- Canada Standard
"Another big diplomatic bungle": Jairam Ramesh on reports of PM Modi not attending G7 Summit in Canada
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday targeted the BJP government over reports of Prime Minister Narendra Modi not attending the G7 Summit, scheduled to be held in Canada this year. In a post on X, Jairam termed it as another 'big diplomatic bungle', and said that for the first time in six years, India will not be in attendance at the Summit. Jairam Ramesh viewed India's absence from the G7 Summit as a significant diplomatic oversight. He emphasised that India's participation in such forums is crucial, given its growing global influence and the need to shape international policies. 'The tradition of inviting Indian PMs continued after 2014. But now, for the first time in 6 years, Vishwaguru will not be in attendance at the Canada summit. Whatever spin may be given, the fact remains that this is yet another big diplomatic bungle,' the Congress leader added in the post. He specifically highlighted that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had attended the Summit in 2007 where the famous Singh-Merkel formula for climate change negotiations were unveiled. 'The G7 Summit of the Presidents of the USA and France, the Prime Ministers of UK, Japan, Italy, and Canada and the Chancellor of Germany is taking place in Kananaskis in Alberta, Canada, from 15 June 2025. The Presidents of Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Australia have also been invited to the summit. Before 2014, G7 was actually G8 for many years and had included Russia,' the Congress MP said. 'Dr. Manmohan Singh would be invited for G8 Summits where his voice would be heard. It was at one such summit in Germany in June 2007, where the famous Singh-Merkel formula for climate change negotiations had been unveiled,' Jairam added. Further, the Congress Rajya Sabha MP attacked the BJP over US President Donald Trump claims of mediating between India and Pakistan for the cessation of hostilities. 'The blunder of allowing the US to overturn decades of Indian foreign policy by mediating between India and Pakistan and allowing American authorities to call for continued talks at a 'neutral site,' Jairam Ramesh said on X. US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) once again claimed credit for brokering a cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, asserting that his administration's trade negotiations potentially averted a nuclear war between the two nations. During an interaction with reporters, Trump expressed pride in achieving peace through trade rather than military conflict, reigniting debates over the US role in the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire following the escalation of tension after the Pahalgam terror attack and India's subsequent reply through Operation Sindoor. The Canadian government is set to host this year's G7 Summit in Alberta on June 15-17. (ANI)
Canada Standard
7 days ago
- Canada Standard
Political space should not be given to extremist elements: MEA on Khalistan issue in Canada
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): India has consistently conveyed security concerns to Canada regarding pro-Khalistan elements, urging them not to give any 'political space to extremist elements advocating violence and secession,' said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday. Addressing weekly briefing, Jaiswal stated, 'Our position has very been very consistent over several months and years now, we've told we've conveyed our security concerns to the Canadian side, and we have also urged them not to give any political space to extremist elements, those who advocate violence and those who talk about secession or talk about separatism.' 'I hope that the Canadian side will take due note and will take new action against those who advocate anti-India,' he added. Further, the MEA highlighted the recent conversation between Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, marking the first call between the two foreign ministers since the new Canadian government took office. Taking to social media platform X on May 26, the EAM stated, 'Appreciate the telecon with FM Anita Anand of Canada. Discussed the prospects of India-Canada ties. Wished her a very successful tenure.' 'Our external affairs minister had a telecon with the Canadian counterpart. It happened last week or this week. This was the first call between the two foreign ministers. Earlier, our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and our External Affairs Minister also congratulated their counterparts,' Jaiswal stated. 'In its latest conversation, the External Affairs Minister greeted the Canadian Foreign Minister on her new responsibilities, and both leaders had a discussion on the prospects for India-Canada ties going forward,' he added. On April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mark J. Carney on his election as the Prime Minister of Canada, extending warm wishes to the Liberal Party for their electoral victory. Posting on X, PM Modi wrote, 'Congratulations Mark J Carney on your election as the Prime Minister of Canada and to the Liberal Party on their victory. India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people.' Carney had taken over the leadership from Justin Trudeau, who resigned towards the end of his term after losing the confidence of his party. Unlike his predecessor, Trudeau, whose tenure saw strained relations with India following his allegations regarding the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Nijjar, Carney has publicly advocated for improving ties with India. He notably extended condolences following the Pahalgam terror attack, signalling a commitment to strengthening India-Canada relations. (ANI)
