NEW YORK, NEW YORK — International diplomats were left tapping their translation earpieces on Wednesday after Canada delivered its official address to the United Nations General Assembly entirely in Punjabi by a three-person Indian delegation wearing red Tim Hortons uniforms.
The speech was delivered by a member of Canada’s delegation wearing a Tim Hortons uniform and turban, who confirmed he was taking an unpaid afternoon shift off from a Brampton, Ontario franchise and was joined by several other Tim Hortons employees seated behind him in the Canadian delegation’s usual section.
“Sat Sri Akaal,” began the head of the Canadian delegation in Punjabi, adjusting his name tag before casually placing an extra-large Double-Double on the podium next to the UN gavel. “We are deeply honored to represent the Great White North today, and we would like to begin by asking if anyone in the hall has a contact for a fast-track LMIA work permit.”
Canada’s delegation defended the decision to deliver the address in Punjabi, saying it was an important reflection of the country’s rapidly changing cultural landscape.
“Let me explain your country’s identity to you and how it includes me,” the representative added to the cheers of the India delegation section.
The representative eventually concluded his address by calling for stronger international cooperation on forcing Western Nations to immediately approve of three million pending international student visas into their countries.
