Canada PM apologises in Parliament

Almost 102 years after Canada turned away over 376 migrants, mostly Sikhs from India, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formally apologised in Parliament for the “great injustice” that happened due to discriminatory laws of the time.

Mr Trudeau apologised in the House of Commons on Wednesday for the 1914 decision by the then Canadian government to turn away 376 Indian migrants onboard the ship Komagata Maru after their arrival in Vancouver.

Standing in the Commons, Mr Trudeau apologised to the descendants of those who were on board and the broader Sikh community for the incident.

“Mr Speaker, today I rise in this House to offer an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada, for our role in the Komagata Maru incident. More than a century ago a great injustice took place,” Mr Trudeau said.

“Canada’s government was, without question, responsible for the laws that prevented these passengers from immigrating peacefully and securely. For that, and for every regrettable consequence that followed, we are sorry,” Mr Trudeau said.

The Prime Minister got no further before MPs and invited onlookers in the packed galleries rose in their seats in a standing ovation, the Star reported.

Komagata Maru sailed into Vancouver harbour on May 23, 1914 from Hong Kong, carrying 376 passengers but most of the passengers were eventually turned away on the grounds of the “continuous journey clause” that allowed only travellers on a trip without interruption to land in Canada.

As Mr Trudeau said, the law effectively eliminated immigrants from India because there was no direct service to Canada.

After two months in limbo, the ship was escorted out of the harbour by the military. It returned to India and on its arrival, at least 19 people were killed in a skirmish with British soldiers, while others were jailed.

“No words can fully erase the pain and suffering they experienced. Regrettably, the passage of time means that none are alive to hear our apology today,” Mr Trudeau said.