Brampton politicians of Sikh heritage from all three levels of government are calling on the federal government to reverse a decision to include Sikh and Muslim religious groups in a recent report on terror threats to Canada.

Recently sworn-in Brampton city Coun. Harkirat Singh, Brampton North Liberal MP Ruby Sahota and Brampton North Progressive Conservative MPP Amarjot Sandhu, all sent letters to federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale asking the ministry to amend the document released last week.

“After reading the report, I am extremely disappointed with the inclusion of the section entitled ‘Sikh (Khalistani) Extremism along with the use of ‘Sunni Islamist Extremism’ and ‘Shia Extremism,' ” wrote Sahota in her letter to Goodale, which she posted on Twitter.

“I believe the referencing of ‘Sikh Khalistani Extremism’ in this report is baseless. There is no context and/or justification provided in the report to substantiate the claim that ‘some individuals in Canada continue to support Sikh (Khalistani) extremist ideologies and movements,' ” wrote Singh in his letter.

The federal report titled, 2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada identified “violent Sunni Islamist ideology and terrorist groups” like Daesh or al-Qaida as the current principal terrorist threat to the country.

“At the same time, Canada also continues to face threats from individuals inspired to commit violence based on other forms of extremism, including from right-wing, Shia Islamist, and Sikh (Khalistani) extremists,” added the report.

The report identified Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as two examples of Sikh political groups the government believes continue to advocate extremist ideas. Both are listed as “terrorist entities” under Canada’s criminal code.

The issue, according to Sahota and others, is the list is not specific enough and “attempts to cast a negative shadow on communities that may hold varying political views and ideologies.”

“As a proud Canadian Sikh, I take strong issue with the language used in this report,” said Sahota, adding she and other members of the federal Liberal party have called a meeting with Goodale to further voice their concerns.

On Friday (Dec. 14), Goodale said his ministry would review the use of more general religious descriptors like Sikh, Sunni and Shia.