For Immediate Release
May 18th, 2016
Mayor Crombie Lauds Prime Minister’s Formal Komagata Maru Apology
“On behalf of the City of Mississauga and Members of Council, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Prime Minister Trudeau for offering a formal apology in the House of Commons for the Komagata Maru incident, which occurred in May 1914.
In May 1914, a steamship carrying 376 passengers from India arrived in Vancouver. The government refused the passengers entry into Canada due to their ethnicity.
“The Prime Minister’s actions are an important opportunity for Canadians to reflect on past injustices and ensure that they don’t happen again. This apology must be a call to action for all of us to commit ourselves to building more open, inclusive and respectful Canadian communities – cities and towns that recognize and celebrate the richness of our nation’s diversity.
“The apology is also a reminder of how far we have come as a country in the last 102 years. Mississauga is a world-class city home to residents of different backgrounds and faiths, and our Indian population is one of our most dynamic, active, and engaged communities. The community has and continues to make important and invaluable contributions to the City of Mississauga, and to Canada.
“In Mississauga, we take immense pride in the diversity of our people. Council established the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to ensure to ensure the City’s Master Plans are executed with an emphasis on improving diversity and fostering greater inclusion of all residents and stakeholders.”
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