Desi Today Magazine
COMMUNITY activist, Charan Gill, the founder and CEO of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) in Surrey, B.C., passed away on Tuesday morning.
In 1978, Gill helped co-found the Canadian Farmworkers Union that exists to improve the human rights, health and safety and employment standards of farmworkers. In 1987, he co-founded the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism, which later grew into Canadian Anti-Racism Education and Research Society. PICS Society was established in 1987 and continues to provide programs and services that directly assist youth, seniors and new immigrants with the goal of promoting harmony and intercultural understanding.
Among the awards Gill won were the Order of BC, the BC Human Rights Award by MOSAIC and the Golden Jubilee Medal. He was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2013.
Premier John Horgan tweeted: “We’re saddened by the passing of Charan Gill. A lifelong champion for social justice and working people, he received the Order of BC for his tremendous contributions to our province. Sending my condolences to his family and friends.”
