Mr. Speaker, I am rising to reflect on the remarkable life and work of Dr. Gurdev Singh Gill. His passing was a devastating loss and my thoughts are with his wife Jasinder, his daughter Jasmine, his son Sanjy and their families.
Dr. Gill immigrated to Canada in 1949 and soon after graduated from the UBC medical program. He became the first Canadian of South Asian origin to practise medicine and was awarded the Order of B.C. He has been described as a pioneer and a role model who showed both adults and children that with passion and determination, they could achieve anything.
His advocacy for aspiring Indo-Canadian medical professionals and his efforts to improve health care access for immigrants set him apart. Dr. Gill also had a lasting impact in Punjab, India. He founded the Indo-Canadian Friendship Society of B.C., improving clean drinking water, sanitation and infrastructure for over 100,000 people in India. His legacy reminds us of the power we all have to improve the lives of those around us.
Rest in peace, Dr. Gill.