Canadians have been caught up in the drama of the arrival of a small boat with 500 people aboard. They have travelled for several months on the Pacific Ocean, turned away in Thailand, Australia, and given the cold shoulder everywhere else until they reached the western shore of Vancouver Island, escorted by the Canadian navy.
Many have suggested that the ship should have been boarded and just turned away. Unfortunately these views have a terrible pedigree, and call to mind the fate of two other boats, the Komagata Maru and the SS St Louis.
The Komagata Maru set sail from Calcutta in 1914, picking up passengers in Yokohama and Shanghai before making the long voyage to Vancouver. Its arrival in the harbour was met by powerful hostility. In the previous decade Canada had opened itself to the arrival of 400,000 Europeans, but had strict laws and regulations preventing Asians and others from coming. The passengers on board the Komagata Maru, who were mainly Sikh, tried desperately to land but both the federal and provincial governments did all in their power to prevent the 354 passengers from landing. This brutal discrimination succeeded, and the ship was forced to sail back to Calcutta. The Imperial authorities concluded that the leaders on the boat were dangerous agitators for Indian freedom, and 19 of them were killed on arrival in Calcutta. Many others were arrested and imprisoned. The incident remains a dark stain on Canada’s reputation, for which Stephen Harper has yet to apologise in the House of Commons. The House itself has endorsed a motion in the name of Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla expressing just such an apology.
The SS St Louis made its famous voyage, known as the “voyage of the damned”, in 1939. Its 936 Jewish passengers made their way from Hamburg to Cuba, where they were denied landing, although they all had visas. After a stay of many days, the ship set sail for the U.S., where it was also rejected, and then to Halifax, where the Liberal government of the day also refused entry. It had to make its way back across the north Atlantic to Antwerp, where passengers were dispersed to a number of countries, many of which were soon to be occupied by the Nazis. Historians tell us that as many as 254 of the St Louis passengers were killed in Nazi death camps, while the rest probably survived the war.
Just two years ago Canadian Church leaders held a ceremony of apology to recognise the terrible wrong done. Bishop Marcel Gervais of Ottawa said “remembering what happened to the passengers will help Christians make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
This past week Canadians have been subjected to wild rumours of disease rampant aboard the ship, and allegations that “terrorists” and “criminals” are about to run amok in the country. Many urged the Canadian navy to board the ship in international waters and send them on their way.
Bishop Gervais’s admonition notwithstanding, it would seem some have learned very little from our past. Of course people paid to get on the Tamil boat, just as they did to get on the Komagata Maru, the SS St Louis, and Kastner’s train for that matter.
Sri Lanka’s civil war did not come to a pretty ending. As the army made its way through the country, planes strafing villages and bombing civilians, Tamils who had returned home after the ceasefire of 2001 were corralled by the opposing sides to the north-eastern shore of the country. The complete exclusion of journalists and international observers and agencies makes it impossible to know how many died in the last weeks of the war: estimates range from a few hundred to 40,000. The entire leadership of the LTTE and their families were wiped out. Hundreds of thousands became refugees in their own country.
General Fonseca, who ran as a presidential candidate, was arrested the day after the election. Dozens of journalists are killed every year, and many foreign observers, from Swedish Foreign Minister to Bob Rae, Canadian MP (and writer of this blog), have been refused entry to the country.
Canada has an obligation under our law to take refugee claims seriously, to weigh them in a judicious manner, and to insist that allegations of “terrorism” and “human trafficking” be proven. We also need to work with our international friends and the UN to understand better why these boats are travelling, how they are being organised, and why people feel they should take them.
It is a pity Vic Toews didn’t mention the Komagata Maru and the SS St Louis, and why we’re not going to repeat those atrocities. To turn away a boat that’s been on the high seas for over 90 days would be unconscionable. It would also be illegal.
What, then, of the “moral hazard”, the argument that if we let one boat it will be followed by countless more ? These are not exactly cruise ships. Not everyone on them will be found to be a refugee. But if the Sri Lankan government says I’m a threat to their national security I’m less inclined to take seriously their blanket conclusions about who’s on the boat and why they’re there. I have confidence in our immigration and justice system. Vic Toews is right about one thing: the world is watching. I’m proudest as a Canadian when we’re setting the right standard for the world. We didn’t do it in 1914 for the Komagata Maru or in 1939 for the St Louis. Let’s get it right this time.
Thank you Mr. Rae for your balanced view. While treating these people with some respect and dignity, the most important thing that Canada and the allies should do is to resolve the Ethnic issues that the country (Sri Lanka) is faced with for the last sixty years or so. Respectable solution will also be a good solution to the refugee influx issue as well..
Thank you! I am not sure what more to say.
A balanced article. Well done Mr. Rae.
Thank you Canada and Hon. Bob Rae and the Liberal Party.
Sri Lanka’s several guises have been to uproot and wipe out Tamils is evident from the chavunist mind set of politicking in an ancient past. They claim its the land of Hela – Sinhala people.
Sri Lanka carries out the scorched earth policy thru today, as described in the International Crisis Group report.
Livelihood denial and burned farm lands are life and death issues among continuing vast human rights violations.
I appeal Canada to take actions along with EU with the US and or Commonwealth channels, to ensure justice for Tamils and other minorities and lasting peace. Only this will curtail illegal migration such as this one.
Thank you
Rae bringing a liberal slant to the whole mess is nothing unexpected. People exploiting the system should be viewed cautiously, without moralising, without scoring any political points. Democratically elected politicians must hear the demands of the people. It is clear that these people who came on this ship paid huge sums of money. The money has gone from their relatives residing here in Canada. The whole scam happens to be an organised crime. This is not some one fleeing in a hurry escaping torture or risk to their lives! Often these tiger elements know how not to leave any traces of evidence. We are dealing with one of the fiercest terror groups in the world that is proscribed in this country. It has evidently got front organisations. Many decent Tamils are telling that the Tamil Congress based in Toronto are a tiger front. Of course all their spokespersons will dent it, they are of course innocent until proven guilty!It will be interesting to probe into their past. I agree with Rae that the Sri Lankan state is not clean either. Canada however cannot become a human dumping ground. Why didn’t these migrants claim asylum in India? The culture and language are the same there. Lets not argue about “Moral hazard”. What we need to guard against is that we are being abused by criminals and terrorists. Why was Rae refused entry into Sri Lanka? We don’t know. He should sort it out with the Sri Lankan government. That should not provide Rae to give a blanket approval of any Tamil to just enter the country as economic migrants with a flagrant disregard to our laws. That is the strength of the voice of protest coming from majority of Canadians. Rae ought to not preach. For your information no war comes to a pretty ending.
Bob Rae knows all about the nasty Sri Lanka ethnic problem. He went to see for himself but was not allowed into the country under the present regime. Speaks volumes. Canada could take the issue up in the UN about mass exodus and full accountabilty for all its citizens.
Thanks Bob Rae, we salute for your honesty and standing by the Tamils when the propaganda of the Singala regime convinces the world not to.
Having read your blog on the boat people and your belief in Canadian values on human rights, I feel proud to be call myself Canadian.
Thank You!
Well said by Mr.Rae! As a Canadian who was born in Sri Lanka and been through the war, I know why these Tamil people took this dangerous journey here. As I grew up in here in Canada, since the age of six, I was taught about Canada’s culture, people and how Canada is one of the world’s best country to live in. I believed that before and I still believe that now. The one thing I don’t like right now is how things are portrayed in the news and how a situation like a humanitarian crisis turns into a threat to Canada. I am here in Canada since 1992, I have been taught about Canadian history and what went on before 1992. Never, ever have I heard any news regarding a threat from the LTTE to Canada or any other countries. Now why are we afraid when we hear the word LTTE in Canada, what have they done to Canada or its citizens? We should stop bringing up the term TERRORIST every time we talk about TAMILS. We shouldn’t forget how Canada became a country and how people arrived here. No one in their right mind would take a ship ride across the oceans for three months in rigorous and dangerous conditions without any reason. I seen the news conference of Mr.Toews, its shows that he is not even aware of what the situation in Sri Lanka is, and who these terrorists he claims that are on the ship. He states, “The intelligence I’ve been provided with indicates there is a connection (with) the LTTE and the Tamil Tigers, but I’m not going to go any further than that,”, he clearly don’t understand that the Tamil Tigers are the LTTE. This shows how much he knows about the organization and its struggle. I am really frustrated about how this situation is being handled by the government and the media. What I am saying is that, don’t just believe everything that is portrayed in the media and jump to conclusion. Please remember, these people are human beings too, think about how much time and effort it takes to make $50,000, if you are ready to spend this much money and even more risk your life, than that must show to how desperate they are to leave the situation they are in. And please don’t think these people have $50,000 with them, it’s all money borrowed. I think Canada should get involved in more of the humanitarian crisis that is happening in other countries instead of worrying about threats from organizations like the LTTE to Canada. This is just my opinion; please don’t use this as reference to anything.
Thank you Sir,
As a refugee I cant express my feelings when I read this article.Thank you again.
Hello,
I would like to thank you for taking a strong stance and critically thinking about this situation. However, I would also like you to take whatever actions possible within your reach to help the Tamils seek help. This whole issue could have been prevented if only the Canadian government had taken actions when were supposed to. Canadians can be really selfish when it comes to sharing, so its about time we teach them the 3 basic necessities of life(air, water, and land) which belong to everyone and should not be given economic/political value to. Keep up the great work!
There are 490 active cases. Might be there are 492 very soon. I hope the Conservatives are not going to talk about anchor babies. Dramatizing a story is not protecting law and order.
Canada can carry above its weight. Canada has benefited diversity. Diversity is a great social policy and now diversity is the greatest asset Canada has to international trade. Canada didn’t want the Chinese Canadians when they build the railroad. The Chinese Canadians is Canada natural bridge to China. Canada is a lot closer to China because of them.
Canadian law is not drama. They are real people. Human life is not a political chess piece. “Moral hazard” argument is not Canadian law.
Thank you Mr. Rae for speaking to this issue with insight and fortitude. Hopefully, Canadians will enter into a more intelligent debate regarding migrant ships arriving on our shores as a result. So far much of the dialouge has been rather ignorant.
It is also comforting to have a true statesman speak to this topic. Perhaps Mr. Toews can get some advice…
Thank you, Bob Rae for expressing the feelings and thoughts of the majority of Canadians.
Thank you for writing this piece on the Sri Lankan refugees. I have been trying to remind my friends of the Vietnamese boat people, and how well they integrated into Canadian society after they were given the chance to do so. We have the space and the ability to help these people, and we should help them. Please don’t let the pressure off of the federal government on this issue.
thank you again,
Jonquil Garrick
I read your news and thought I could share my view.
I was refugee from Sri lanka and claimed asylum in Canada 1988. I have 3 elder brothers and parents in Sri lanka. My father kicked me out of Sri lanka because of my safety in my home town.
I came illegally to Vancouver airport (without proper visa) and claimed refugee status in Sept 1988 and I had only $140 in my hand. Today I have wonderful family for myself and working as a mechanical engineer and paid $17K as an income tax (with out my wife’s income).
Why I am saying this.
Past few days all the Medias make the people to believe refugees are always on taxpayer’s expense. When I came here I only got some bus tokens, one month welfare and been told to get a job.
I was going school in daytime and working in the evening shift until I got the university co-op program. Nothing was free to me. I paid landed immigration paper fee through my earnings. (around $1400) I got OSAP loan for my university tuition fees.
Canada gave me chance for a second life here. Most of the Tamils are hard working and community conscious people.
After few days of bad image of tamils your statement shows the real refugees fear. I do not have to tell you the history. You had better experience than me from sri lankan goverment.
Thanks again
Well said. We need more people like you in politics.
Hon. Bob Rae,
Please keep your tireless work to expose the genocidal war crimes of the Sri Lankan government, while keeping the moral and ethical obligations of Canadians as a whole. I am very proud to be Canadian, more on this Friday than the day I landed.
It is the voice of the honorable members like yourself that is keeping the faith in the political system, democracy and the rule of law.
Long live canada/ Vive le Canada, libre
Bert Christian
Great insight on history! Lets hope these asylum seekers get neccessary treatment and rights without being treated with bias oppinions! Good job Bob Rae.
Brindan
Bob, I organized for you in Parkdale in 1990 & 1995 & I have not agreed with you on much since then! (Although your work for the Coalition was positive).
This piece, however, is fantastic and is a terrific reply to the neo-racist attitudes of the “send-em back” crowd.
Good for you, you should be truly proud of this wonderful piece of writing and defense of basic humanity.
Idealistic opposition. Its certainly easier over there……
You’ve just gained my respect! I felt shame and disgust when news of the ships arrival had come and the reaction of my fellow Canadians.
Thank you for showing some heart. Thank you for reminding us.
I’m no legal expert but exactly how would turning them (Tamils) away be illegal? What law are you referring to and what are the repercussions of breaking it? Immoral acts (in your opinion) are far different from illegal ones. If you feel so strongly about this why don’t you and the rest of your rich friends on your high moral horses take these illegal aliens into your homes, shelter them, feed them, pay for their medical and dental costs and while you’re at it pay them a monthly salary. No? Didn’t think so, neither do I. I make an average salary and can barely afford to cover my own costs let alone people who came here illegally. And yes, they came here illegally. The criminal code says so, the immigration act says so and so does the act governing nautical vessels. People like you sit in your ivory towers while the rest of us average Canadians get to deal with the problem and foot the bill. It’s no wonder your party got the boot from power, you spend too much time with your rich, Ivy League cronies and are terribly out of touch with the average Canadian. I’d love to hear your response but have no faith you’ll respond.
Mr Rae,
The above piece does well to place the current MV Sun Sea event in excellent historical context, highlighting mistakes Canada has made on it’s way to becoming the leader in human rights and social policy that it is today. The plight of the ship’s passengers is serious and as a responsible member of the global community we are doing the right thing.
However, I must challenge a few of your points. To say that the 1914 Komagata Maru event is something that “Stephen Harper has yet to apologise in the House of Commons” for is more than a little unfair. Let’s remember that this is something that every Canadian Federal Administration for nearly the last century has also failed to apologize for. Holding the Harper Government solely responsible is simply a partisan slant, and may I remind you that we Canadians are rapidly growing increasingly discontent with the vast amount of extreme partisanship in our political landscape.
In regards to the treatment of the MV Sun Sea, let’s also remember two recent statements on the matter: the first, from Minister Toews himself, ““There are humanitarian reasons why [turning away migrant ships] might not be advisable…I want to ensure that we do things in a humane way…”. The second is from the UN who cited the “exemplary work of the Canadian Border Services Agency” and that “The reception site was well designed…The priorities for safe disembarkation of the ship were clearly defined with medical needs topping the list for those on board, who included men, women and children.”
This matter is very serious and Canada is doing well. Let’s keep politics out of it.
Thank you for your time,
Shane Hall
As a survivor of the 1983 riots that finally led to my fleeing that country, one has to experience the fear and agony of facing death to take such dangerous risks with your family to embark in such voyages. To them death at sea is sweeter than death by violence and brutality. It is sad that most Canadians are ignorant of this fact and will rather sympathize with a stray dog than a fleeing refugee. Vic Toews is capitalising on this ignorance and sentiments to gain votes for the Tories. A year ago, over 30,000 Tamil Canadians took to the streets of Toronto & Ottawa begging the Tories to take lead, intervene and stop this massacre. This Government chose to ignore those pleas that ultimately led to the massacre of innocent civilians.
There is so much talk about refugees jumping the queue. A refugee is a patient in acute pain that needs emergency care. There is no waiting in the Waiting Room. He needs to jump the queue. As Canadians, let us show some compassion.
Thanks for speaking on behalf of these unfortunate people.
Thanks! Those are very good points to make!
Stephan
Nice article by mr.Bob rae, who has shown empathy on this sufffering of humanity in the racist environment. All moderates have become extremist after encountering with prejudiced successive singlese government. all the gandhian way of fighting failed in the island nation. First they will singn an settlement and agreement but they will not make that into an enactment or law instead they will pass the time at last they will fly the things in the air. You have not experienced the hallucination at their hands chuvanist. Being in canada and enjoying full and equal freedom we should have empathy. I am cent percent confident the present president of sl RAJA PAK she will pass the time by conducting elections and other things instead of finding a political solution giving equal rights to all its citizens. He will not bring in any amendment in the constitutuion or rules or regualtions because he do not wants tamils to live their life with dignity and equality. he do not wants tamils to have political party instead he is planning a system where tamils can join only in major two singelese parites. Tamil areas will be settled with southern rural singlese and tamil village names will be changed as if it is singlese name. This all will be done in course of time systematically with help of roughe governments. i.e. China,Iran, Pakistan, Libya,Cuba , Burma,Malaysia,Australia etc all all very close friends of present Racist SRI LAKAN GOVERNMENT headed by Rajapakshe
Please do not compare 1914 and 1939 to today, Canada made many mistakes to its own citizens in those years. Residental schools for natives, relocation to the high Arctic for Inuit, interment of citizens during WWII, as a Rhodes scholar like you should know. The race card no longer works, no one is against honest and legal immigration, or real refugees, but human trafficking should not be tolerated or encouraged by allowing economic refugees to jump the line. The UN has determined Tamils are no longer persecuted in Sri Lanka, the Tamils as minorties used to be the ruling class when the British ruled the area known as Ceylon. The problems started when the British left and democratic elections found them out of power. This is an internal issue likes hundreds of other countries.
Do you know how many 1,ooo’s of Tamil-Canadians return to Sri Lanka for business or vacations last year in a country others are claiming refugees status from? Wouldnt happen if they were at in real danger. They are economic migrates looking to bud into Canada.
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Honourable Rae,
Canada has so far done the right thing. It is the duty of Canada to set the moral standards.
Instead of sending everyone away making blanket statements on the passengers, let our Justice and Immigration department assess them as refugees or not.
Alessandro
So we have another shipload of uninvited and unannounced guests and two more crowded shiploads waiting to see if they get away with it. It is unclear why they have made a trip halfway around the world rather than places closer to home.Why not India that already has a large Tamil population as well as an economy on the upswing.? Why not Australia which has plenty of room ? Why not Bali, whch is Hindu as the Tamils are. Perhaps because they consider Canada a sucker country. that will accept anyone that will contribute to its prized diversity ?. Do we still believe the fiction that recent immigrants are an economic gain for Canada ? Only Tamils already here seem to have been consulted on this matter and they favour our new migrants. Surprise, surprise. Send them back The “plenty of room in Canada” is mostly in the uninhabitable tundra, not in Toronto or Vancouver.
Re illegality: Why is Canada the only country bound by supposedly international agreements and laws? As the ship came halfway around the world it must have passed other countries that were co-signatories to these agreements. Rather than be mother to the world, how about signing for aboriginal rights, settling land claims and ceasing the destruction of the pitiful remainder of aboriginal land ?
Erik
Cannot agree with most of the above. Canada has long been know as the “Great White Cow” as it is so easy to milk. European heritage has build this country into what it is today and now with the house finished and the front lawn green, thousands are in line for entry . We have to be selective in our choices, but we won’t. Joseph Campbell was not a advocate of the “Great Melting Pot Theory”, nor am I.
Just several days ago there was a shooting at a East Indian Temple in Vancouver ,during a wedding. I cannot remember during the past 66 years a similar shooting at a United Church or Mormon Church. Immigration is spawning it’s own form of violence bred from ignorance and a huge cultural divide that will be impossible to bridge. But again it is just History repeating itself.So many experiments and so many disasters.
What then is the choice for three Generation Canadians.? Hum the song “Don’t Worry Be Happy!!!!
I like Palit Mogies comment,” how many of these refugees actually return to Sri lanka for business or pleasure after claiming refugge status”, ifthe y are so “afraid” why do the y return?
The comments here are pretty sickening. I mean, EVERY SINGLE ONE supporting you as if you were the second coming ?. I mean, come on. None of these people were refugees, aside from a handfull of women & children who were likely forced to come along for the express purpose of being paraded before the camera’s.