Statement from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on the Anniversary of the Komagata Maru Incident
Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada , released the following statement on the Anniversary of the Komagata Maru Incident.
“Today, Canadians remember the passengers of the SS Komagata Maru, who journeyed to Canada hopeful for a better life, only to be denied entry into Canada by the discriminatory laws of the time.
“The 376 Punjabis who took the dangerous journey to our shores did so because they recognized Canada’s incredible promise of freedom and opportunity. The failure of past governments to live up to this promise represents a dark and shameful chapter in our history and a painful injustice that we must learn from.
“More than a century later, Canada has come a long way since the Komagata Maru tragedy. Today, our country is home to one of the largest Punjabi diaspora communities in the world, made up of multiple generations who have worked, dreamed and prospered in Canada.
“On this anniversary, we are grateful that these incredible Canadians were able to share fully in the Canadian promise. And, in remembering the injustice of the Komagata Maru tragedy, we recommit to defending and preserving this timeless vision of freedom so that future generations can continue to choose Canada and find the same opportunity in the freest country on earth.”