The province and the city will now work together to find a site for the museum
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The city of Surrey appears to have won a battle against Vancouver to host the long-awaited provincial museum representing and celebrating the history and heritage of South Asians in Canada.
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Announced Friday, the B.C. government said it intends to move forward with Surrey after signing a memorandum of understanding to bring the museum, which was promised in 2020, one step closer to completion.
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“Canadians of South Asian heritages have made extraordinary contributions to British Columbia’s social, cultural, economic and political development for generations,” Anne Kang, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, said in a news release.
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“Their stories, achievements and contributions are an important part of our province’s success, past and present. This agreement is an important step toward creating a place where people can learn about, celebrate and connect with these stories for years to come.”
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South Asia is a southern sub-region of Asia, made up of eight main countries, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives, with a diaspora across the world.
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Both Surrey and Vancouver announced bids to have the museum in their cities, with the city of Surrey previously launching a petition to have it there.
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“There is no better place than Surrey for a museum dedicated to Canadians of South Asian heritages,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. “With nearly 40 per cent of Surrey’s population identifying with South Asian heritages, these communities have deep and significant stories that deserve to be preserved, celebrated and shared.”
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The province and the city will work together to find a site for the museum, and further consult the various communities the museum hopes to serve. There is no date set for the museum’s completion.
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An official name has also not been established, with the B.C. government acknowledging the complexity of finding an inclusive enough name for the space in a report from August 2025.
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“We understand that there are issues and sensitivities regarding the term ‘South Asian’ and it can be a divisive term,” the province stated. “The temporary working name ‘Canadians of South Asian Heritages Museum’ is a placeholder for this initiative until an official name can be determined by the communities who will shape and define the space.”
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Balbir Gurm, a Surrey resident and nurse who was on the ministry’s advisory committee for the museum, says the project will enhance community pride.
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“Cultural identity is foundational to well-being, and when communities see their stories honoured, it strengthens belonging, resilience and mental health. Surrey is home to vibrant, multi-generational communities whose stories and contributions have helped shape British Columbia,” Gurm said.
