Submitted. Premier Christy Clark issued the following statement on the passing of Dr. Jagat “Jack” Singh Uppal:
“British Columbia’s South Asian Community lost one of its pillars with the passing of Dr. Jagat Uppal – better known to everyone as Jack.
“Dr. Uppal lived the quintessential Canadian story. The son of immigrants, he was one of the first Sikh children to attend public school in Vancouver. He went out of his way to support others looking to build their lives in British Columbia, hiring them with his successful lumber company, Goldwood Industries, or helping them integrate with Canadian society as president of the Khalsa Diwan Society.
“He was recognized as a leader, receiving a British Columbia Community Achievement Award in 2010, and an honorary doctorate from Simon Fraser University in 2012.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Uppal’s family. He will be missed.”
Uppal was described by CBC News as “… a pioneer in B.C.’s South Asian community who died Sunday at the age of 89. Uppal’s father was among the first wave of Sikh immigrants to B.C. His son fought for a better quality of life for his family at a time of colonial and racial tensions in B.C.”