Basic Facts
What year did the Komagata Maru incident occur?
1914
What Canadian law was used to deny entry to the passengers?
The Continuous Journey Regulation
How did the Canadian public react at the time?
Many supported the exclusion; some opposed it.
When did the Canadian government apologize for the incident?
In 2008 and again in 2016 (House of Commons)
“We will not allow them to land.” — Who would most likely say this?
Canadian immigration officials in 1914.
How many passengers were on board the Komagata Maru?
376
What was the purpose of the Continuous Journey Regulation?
To limit non-European immigration, especially from India.
What happened when the ship tried to dock in Vancouver?
It was not allowed to disembark.
Why is the Komagata Maru incident important today?
It represents a moment of racial discrimination in Canadian history.
“We are British subjects.” — Who said this and why?
Passengers, asserting their rights as British citizens.
What country did the Komagata Maru sail from?
India (British Raj)
How did the regulation prevent the passengers from entering Canada?
It required immigrants to come directly from their country of origin.
How long did the ship stay in Vancouver harbour?
About 2 months (May to July 1914)
What does it tell us about Canada’s immigration policies in 1914?
They were racially discriminatory.
Who was Prime Minister during the incident?
Robert Borden
What was the ship’s intended destination?
Vancouver, Canada
Which level of government enforced immigration laws?
Federal government
What group supported the passengers from shore?
The Sikh and South Asian Canadian community
What public memorials or commemorations exist?
Komagata Maru memorial in Vancouver.
Which BC newspaper reported negatively on the Komagata Maru?
Vancouver Sun or The Province
What was the name of the ship’s leader or organizer?
Gurdit Singh
What other groups were affected by immigration laws at that time?
Chinese, Japanese, and other non-European immigrants.
What happened to the ship after it returned to India?
British forces fired on passengers; some were killed or jailed.
How has this event shaped the conversation about racism in Canada?
It has helped highlight Canada’s colonial and exclusionary past.
Who apologized for Canada’s role in the incident in 2016?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau