Hospital system apologizes after Brampton Sikh man's beard shaved

The William Osler Health System in Brampton has issued a public apology after hospital staff shaved the beard of an 85-year-old Sikh man without his consent, an act that violated his religious beliefs.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, Dr. Frank Martino, president and CEO of the William Osler Health System, and board chair Pardeep Singh Gill admitted the hospital “failed to uphold religious and cultural care practices.” They said the incident, which occurred in August, was done without medical necessity.

“We take full responsibility for this incident and have extended our deepest apologies to the patient, his family and the Sikh community,” the statement said.

According to the World Sikh Organization (WSO), which brought the incident to light last month, the patient, Joginder Singh Kaler, had never shaved or cut his beard in his lifetime. The organization said the act caused deep distress to both Kaler and his family.

Gill noted that Brampton is home to one of the largest Sikh communities outside of Punjab, emphasizing that local hospitals must be aware of and respectful toward Sikh religious practices. “The community must have confidence that their beliefs will be upheld in all aspects of care,” he said.

The hospital said it has launched an internal review and will provide additional training to ensure staff understand and respect patients’ faith-based needs.