Komagata Maru Incident Recognized as an Event of National Historic Significance
News Release
August 7, 2016 Vancouver, British Columbia Parks Canada Agency
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, today unveiled a commemorative plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to recognize the national historic significance of the Komagata Maru Incident of 1914.
Today, the Komagata Maru Incident has resonance within Canadian history and public discourse, and is a symbol for the early struggle of South Asian Canadians for justice and equality. On May 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru steamship arrived in Vancouver harbor with 376 South Asian immigrants aboard. The arrival of the ship sparked massive opposition from the public and an outpouring of racial rhetoric. In response to this backlash, the local South Asian community came together to fight unsuccessfully the deportation of these long travelled passengers. The Komagata Maru tragedy, along with the laws in force at the time that allowed Canada to be indifferent to the plight of the ship’s passengers, signifies a moment of great importance in the history of immigration and race relations in Canada.
The designation of the Komagata Maru Incident provides an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about our diverse history, and the lessons we have learned. The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant events that contributed to our country’s varied history and rich diversity.
As we near the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government invites all Canadians to experience and learn more about our environment and our diverse history.
Quote
“On this day, 102 years ago, the Canadian Government shamefully turned away 376 immigrants because of their country of origin. Today, as a representative of the Canadian Government, I am honoured to stand with the South Asian community and recognize the Komagata Maru Incident as an event of national historic significance which helped shaped the values – including multiculturalism – that have become a source of strength for our country today.”
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan,
Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Vancouver South
Quick facts
- On July 23, 1914, two months after it arrived, the Komagata Maru was escorted out of the Vancouver harbour by the Canadian military, and forced to return to India, where 19 passengers were killed and many others imprisoned.
- Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas belong to all Canadians. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell the stories of who we are, including the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
- Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history.
Related product
Backgrounder: The Komagata Maru Incident of 1914
Associated links
Komagata Maru apology in the House of Commons, May 18, 2016
Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
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Contact
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
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