Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will deliver an apology in the House of Commons to the passengers’ families of the MS St. Louis and to the Jewish communities in Canada and around the world.
In 1939 more than 900 Jewish refugees sailed from Germany on the MS. St Louis, seeking safety. The MS St. Louis was only 2 days away from Halifax, when as a result of Canada’s anti-Semitic ‘none is too many’ immigration policy, the ship and its passengers were denied entry into Canada.
254 passengers of the MS St. Louis were murdered in the Holocaust.
The story of the MS St. Louis is not only tragic, it’s a shameful part of Canada’s history.
An apology will not right this wrong, or undo the pain this tragedy has caused. But an apology and acknowledgement of this truth, will ensure that we never forget the lessons learned.
It’s crucial that we stand up against anti-Semitism and xenophobia. And we must remember the importance of opening our arms to those in need.
CC:Atlantic Jewish Council
