CN Tower at 50: beacon of Canadian dream for South Asian families

As the CN Tower marks its 50th anniversary, the city's most recognizable landmark has become much more than a tourist attraction for members of Toronto's South Asian community. For countless families, the tower represents home, new beginnings, and some of their happiest memories in Canada.

For many immigrant families, the tower is one of the first places they visit after arriving or when relatives come from overseas. Deepika Walia, visiting from India, said seeing the tower never gets old. "Every time I look at the CN Tower, I feel so good," she told OMNI News in Hindi. "We even book our plane seats on the west side so we can have a clear view of Toronto's iconic skyline."

Her husband, Chandan Walia, noted the tower's symbolic weight back home. "For everyone who is visiting Canada, the CN Tower is a must," he said. "I know only two things here—Niagara Falls and the CN Tower." For the Walia family, every Toronto trip begins the same way: seeing the CN Tower first, then visiting Ripley's Aquarium, the Toronto Reference Library and the museum.

The South Asian community has also become part of the tower's story. In 2022, Yukon-based Bhangra ambassador Gurdeep Pandher performed at the CN Tower's main observation deck during a special event. Organizers told him it was the highest Bhangra performance in the world. "I gave a presentation about Bhangra and messages of hope, joy and positivity," Pandher recalled. "I spoke about why our communities need to come together and why we should reject messages that divide us."

For Pandher, the performance carried deeper meaning. "Giving a chance to people who look different through their appearance and attire, like Sikhs who wear a turban and who are often targets of racial discrimination, is important," he said. "Canada is working hard to create harmony among communities and help people walk together through life."

When it opened in 1976, the CN Tower stood 553 metres tall, making it the world's tallest freestanding structure. It held that title for over 30 years before Dubai's Burj Khalifa surpassed it in 2007. Today, the tower remains one of Canada's most visited attractions, drawing tourists from around the world with its observation decks, EdgeWalk, and sweeping views of the city.

For many South Asian families, though, the CN Tower means something immeasurable—a place where first photos are taken, where visiting relatives are brought, and where their Canadian story often begins.