A Sikh organization has reported the tragic discovery of a 19-year-old employee, Gursimran Kaur, found deceased in a Walmart bakery oven in Halifax. Kaur, who immigrated to Canada from India with her mother about two years ago, was described by the Maritime Sikh Society as a “young beautiful girl who came to Canada with big dreams.” The society has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Kaur’s family, particularly to bring her father and brother from Punjab for her funeral. As of Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised over $132,000.
According to the campaign, Kaur’s mother, who works at the same Walmart, became worried when her daughter didn’t answer her phone during her Saturday night shift. In her frantic search, she opened the walk-in bakery oven and discovered her daughter’s burned body. Balbir Singh, the society’s secretary, stated that Kaur’s mother is in shock but has consented to share information about her daughter for the fundraiser. Singh added that the mother is seeking justice and answers regarding the circumstances of her daughter’s death.
Halifax Regional Police have described the investigation as “complex” and ongoing, with no further public information available at this time. In a radio communication from that night, an emergency dispatcher indicated that a female was locked in an oven, and although staff struggled to turn it off, she had been removed by the time first responders arrived.
Simardeep Hundal, a former president of the Sikh society who has been in contact with Kaur’s mother, expressed horror at the situation and the mother’s experience. Craig Walsh, president of the eastern provinces council of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, highlighted workplace safety concerns, noting that the Walmart location is not unionized. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into safety protocols and practices at the store, particularly if homicide is ruled out.
Sarah MacNeil, a spokeswoman for the province’s Labor Department, confirmed that inspections of the Mumford Road Walmart have been conducted over the past five years, with no enforcement actions taken. She reiterated that workplace devices must be operated according to manufacturer specifications.
