Punjabi to be Canada's 4th biggest language in two years

Punjabi is set to become the fourth largest spoken language in Canada by 2011 after English, French and Chinese.

Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney made the announcement after inaugurating the seventh Spinning Wheel Film Festival that will feature films by or about Sikhs.

Before opening the event, the minister unveiled two huge portraits of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his son Duleep Singh, which will now be permanently displayed at the museum.

Lauding the contribution made by Sikhs to the Canadian society, the minister said they have thrived after their initial struggles and made a place for themselves in Canada.

The 2006 census showed that Punjabi is the sixth largest spoken language after English, French, Chinese, Italian and German in Canada. But it is projected to surpass German and Italian by 2011.