Skip to Main content

17.4°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 3, 2021 4:28 PM -

Charan Gill, labour and human rights pioneer in British Columbia, dies at 84

Share On

charan-gill-labour-and-human-rights-pioneer-in-british-columbia-dies-at-84

The family of Charan Gill say he died in hospital on Feb. 2, following a battle with cancer. File photo/PICS

A longtime labour and human rights leader in British Columbia has died.

The family of Charan Gill say he died in hospital on Feb. 2, following a battle with cancer.

Gill was 84.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in India, Gill moved to Canada in 1967, settling in Surrey, where he co-founded the Canadian Farmworkers Union and the British Columbia Organization to Fight Racism.

The farm workers union led to improved pay, benefits and working conditions for farm and ranch workers across Canada while the organization to fight racism was instrumental in stemming the growth of racist groups in B.C.

Gill was named to the Order of British Columbia in 1999 and received many other accolades for his lifetime of activism, including an honorary doctor of laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 2013.

Premier John Horgan said on social media that he is saddened by the news of Gill's death and called him a "lifelong champion for social justice and working people."

Gill is survived by his three children and their families.

A statement from the family says a private funeral is planned, followed by a celebration of life at a later date.

Latest news

Nikki Sharma’s Demand from Meta: ‘Canadian Children Deserve the Same Online Protection as Kids in the US’

B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma has urged Meta to implement the same online safety measures in Canada that the company is introducing for children in the United States. In a statement released Monday, Sharma said Canadian children deserve the same level of online protection as children in the U.S. Under settlement agreements with U.S. states, Meta is implementing measures for users under 18, including age verification, content restrictions and features designed to reduce excessive use of its social media platforms. Sharma called on Meta to introduce these protections on its platforms in Can

nepal-tibet-flood-death-toll-rises-to-955-over-3-900-still-missing

WorldAug 31, 2026

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards

bank-of-canada-expected-to-hold-interest-rate-at-2-25-rate-hikes-possible-in-2027

CanadaAug 31, 2026

Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rate at 2.25%, Rate Hikes Possible in 2027

The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, marking a seventh consecutive rate hold. The central bank has maintained the rate at 2.25% since October 2025. Financial markets and economists expect the Bank of Canada to continue with a cautious, wait-and-see approach for now as it closely monitors inflation, economic growth and uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. However, discussions are growing about the possibility of interest rate increases next year as the ongoing trade war could put addit

trump-warns-canada-over-venezuela-oil-deal-signals-u-s-may-no-longer-need-canadian-crude

CanadaAug 31, 2026

Trump Warns Canada Over Venezuela Oil Deal, Signals U.S. May No Longer Need Canadian Crude

U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks against Canada continue, with his latest remarks focusing on a major oil deal involving Venezuela. Trump has described the agreement, involving Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, as a direct warning to Ottawa and suggested that the United States may not need Canadian crude oil in the future. Experts say the deal could create increased competition for Canadian crude in the U.S. market in the coming years. Both Canada and Venezuela are major producers of heavy crude, which is used by refineries designed to process heavier grades of oil. Trump recently sha

b-c-ndp-mla-and-indigenous-leader-joan-philip-dies-at-74-vancouver-strathcona-seat-vacant

B.C. NDP MLA and Indigenous Leader Joan Philip Dies at 74, Vancouver-Strathcona Seat Vacant

B.C. NDP MLA and prominent Indigenous leader Joan Philip has died at the age of 74. She represented the Vancouver-Strathcona riding in the provincial legislature. According to the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Philip died Friday afternoon in hospital in the presence of her family. She had been battling a serious illness for some time. Her husband, Grand Chief Stewart Philip, along with her children and grandchildren, were by her side at the time of her death. B.C. Premier David Eby paid tribute to Philip, describing her as a fearless warrior and inspiring leader. He said she dedicated her life

Related News

Nikki Sharma’s Demand from Meta: ‘Canadian Children Deserve the Same Online Protection as Kids in the US’

Nikki Sharma’s Demand from Meta: ‘Canadian Children Deserve the Same Online Protection as Kids in the US’

B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma has urged Meta to implement the same online safety measures in Canada that the company is introducing for children in the United States. In a statement released Monday, Sharma said Canadian children deserve the same level of online protection as children in the U.S. Under settlement agreements with U.S. states, Meta is implementing measures for users under 18, including age verification, content restrictions and features designed to reduce excessive use of its social media platforms. Sharma called on Meta to introduce these protections on its platforms in Can

B.C. NDP MLA and Indigenous Leader Joan Philip Dies at 74, Vancouver-Strathcona Seat Vacant

B.C. NDP MLA and Indigenous Leader Joan Philip Dies at 74, Vancouver-Strathcona Seat Vacant

B.C. NDP MLA and prominent Indigenous leader Joan Philip has died at the age of 74. She represented the Vancouver-Strathcona riding in the provincial legislature. According to the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Philip died Friday afternoon in hospital in the presence of her family. She had been battling a serious illness for some time. Her husband, Grand Chief Stewart Philip, along with her children and grandchildren, were by her side at the time of her death. B.C. Premier David Eby paid tribute to Philip, describing her as a fearless warrior and inspiring leader. He said she dedicated her life

Drug Trafficking Network Operator Tyler Missen Sentenced to 11.5 Years in Prison

Drug Trafficking Network Operator Tyler Missen Sentenced to 11.5 Years in Prison

A man identified as Tyler Missen has been sentenced to 11.5 years in prison following an RCMP-led investigation into a drug trafficking network operating across several cities in B.C. According to RCMP, the trafficking network was linked to Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Langley. On June 29, police carried out searches at multiple locations, seizing large quantities of drugs, weapons, vehicles and Canadian currency. Three people were arrested during the operation. Missen, a Langley resident, pleaded guilty on July 2 while in custody to drug trafficking and weapons-related offences. On August 26, t

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital