THE City of Vancouver and community partners announced on Wednesday that they are proudly championing Vancouver as the future home of a new Provincial museum celebrating the contributions of Canadians of South Asian heritages in British Columbia.

“Vancouver is uniquely positioned to host this landmark institution honouring the legacy and impact of BC’s vibrant South Asian Canadian communities,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “As the historic heart of South Asian settlement in British Columbia and one of the top visitor destinations in Canada, our city offers an ideal setting to reflect on the past and celebrate and share stories of South Asian Canadians with the world.”

The City said that recognizing its pivotal role, in 2024 Mayor and Council unanimously passed a motion supporting the museum committing, in principle, to covering one-third of the capital costs, including land, for a Vancouver location, subject to a financial and project review.

The City thanked the Province of B.C. and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for its leadership and vision in committing to this important project. The Province completed an extensive community engagement in April and is expected to announce their next steps soon.

The City says that as BC’s premier tourism and transportation hub, Vancouver welcomes millions of regional and international visitors each year. A museum here would share South Asian Canadian stories with a global audience while also serving as a vibrant and inclusive space for the local community to gather, celebrate and host cultural programming.

South Asian communities have been vital in shaping Vancouver’s identity, economy and culture for more than 120 years:

·    Vancouver was one of the first places South Asian people settled in BC and plays a big role in the community’s history.

·    Vancouver was home to North America’s first community-owned Gurdwara, formerly located in Kitsilano.

·    The city is also home to BC’s first Mosque, Al-Jamia Al-Masjid.

·    The historic Punjabi Market is North America’s first ‘Little India’ and is an important cultural hub in Vancouver.

·    Vancouver was the site of important historical events, such as the Guru Nanak Jahaz tragedy, which continue to resonate in Canada and around the world.

·    South Asian Canadian communities continue to grow and thrive in Vancouver and are integral to the vibrancy and identity of the city.

In addition, the City said it is dedicated to uplifting South Asian Canadian communities and is currently working with community to develop recommendations to address historical discrimination and impacts today. Engagement undertaken in 2025 shows strong enthusiasm for a permanent space to celebrate South Asian cultures in Vancouver.
You can read more about why Vancouver is the right choice for the museum at Vancouver.ca/CSAHMuseum.

Wally Oppal, former B.C. Supreme Court Justice and community advocate, said: “Vancouver is the logical place for a museum to honor the legacy in the city that was home to the earliest South Asian settlers who contributed so much to the fabric of the City and defining moments in our shared history. It is a meaningful place to elevate our cultures, stories and contributions into both local and global conversations. This museum will be a tribute to our ancestors and a beacon for future generations.”

Royce Chwin, President and CEO, Destination Vancouver, said:  “Vancouver’s story is made richer by the voices and histories of our diverse communities. With more than 9 million visitors each year, and as the gateway to the rest of the BC, Vancouver is the ideal location for a new museum that elevates the stories of the South Asian Canadians who have shaped our province. It would be a powerful addition to our tourism landscape and the museum would benefit from the city’s existing tourism infrastructure, partnerships and global attractiveness.”  

Pall Beesla, Director of Community Partnerships, Punjabi Market Collective, said: “This museum would honour the past and create a lasting space for celebration, education, and connection — something South Asian Canadian communities in Vancouver have long called for. It would be a powerful symbol to see our stories represented alongside other major cultural and tourism institutions in Vancouver.”