Baljit Sethi of Prince George was awarded the Order of British Columbia by Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point today at Government House.
Sethi has dedicated her life to helping immigrants to Canada and pursuing equality and justice for all Canadians.
She was born in Lahore, India. She immigrated to Canada in 1972. In 1974, she began working with the Immigrant Services Society of British Columbia as a family counsellor and then as a settlement counsellor, assisting newcomers to Canada with settlement services.
In 1976 she founded the Immigrants Services Society of Prince George, now known as the Immigrant & Multicultural Services Society (IMSS).
Through her work with IMSS she soon realized that newcomers' integration in the community could not be achieved without multicultural programs and promotion of racial harmony.
She encouraged interaction of immigrants with the host community and was instrumental in promoting multiculturalism in Prince George, thereby benefitting the entire northern British Columbia region. Scores of multicultural and anti-racism projects designed by Baljit Sethi and delivered under her guidance are still being delivered today.
Through 38 years of dedicated service to newcomers' integration and the promotion of multiculturalism, Baljit Sethi has changed the community's outlook. She is an activist and advocate for immigrant women and has become a source of inspiration to them and to the community at large.
Sethi has dedicated herself to improving the quality of life for Prince George by providing extraordinary care and help to immigrants and refugees and advancing women's equality.
Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond was on hand at Government House to be among the first to congratulate Sethi.
"I have had the pleasure of working with Baljit for many years. I cannot think of many people that deserve this special award and recognition more than she does," said Bond.
"Her passion to promoting equality and advocating on behalf of immigrant families and, in particular, women and their children is truly inspiring. Prince George is a more inclusive, understanding, and harmonious community as a result of Baljit's tireless efforts. I was thrilled to support her nomination and to share this special event with her today."
Recipients of the Order of British Columbia were selected by an independent advisory committee from public nominations.
