Radio commentary draws fire from B.C. Sikhs

CBC News

A leading figure in Vancouver's show business community has riled local Sikhs with comments about immigrants he made on a recent radio talk show.

Bruce Allen refused to back down Friday when asked about his recent comments on immigrants.

Controversy erupted after Bruce Allen took at swipe at immigrants, including Sikhs, during his regular "Reality Check'' rant on CKNW radio.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say there has been a lot of immigrant bashing going on in recent months,'' Allen told listeners during a commentary that aired on Sept. 13.

He was referring to recent incidents that included complaints from the Sikh community after Passport Canada declined to issue passports to three Sikh children because they insisted on wearing religious headgear when they were having their pictures taken.

"If you're immigrating to this country and you don't like the rules that are in place, then you have the right to choose not to live here,'' Allen said during his broadcast.

"But if you choose to come to a place like Canada, then shut up and fit in … these are the rules. There's the door. If you don't like the rules, hit it. We don't need you here. You have another place to go: It's called home. See ya!"

In an interview with CBC, Allen said his comments cannot be seen as "race-bashing,'' or "hate-mongering.''

But a number of Sikhs disagree.

Harpreet Singh, himself a radio commentator, is one of at least 11 people to write a complaint to broadcast regulators.

"The language that he was using — like shut up and go back, we don't need you here — who is he to tell the people we don't need you here?'' Harpreet said. "Canada is part and parcel of us. We are proud to be Canadians.''

Sukhpreet Singh said Allen has a right to an opinion, but he also thought Allen went too far.

"I'm a Canadian-born Sikh," he said. "This is my country. Like he goes if you don't like our laws, go back home. Well, this is my home.''

Allen manages some high profile celebrities, including crooner Michael Bublé, and that cachet helped land him a position on the organizing committee for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Harpreet Singh now wants Allen out of the Olympics.

"He's representing entire Canada, and once he does not feel the importance of immigrants, what is he going to showcase?"

Allen is refusing to back down.

"Because I have an opinion, I get kicked off VANOC?" he replied when asked to comment on Harpreet's remarks. "Does that make any sense?"