Thread by @atRachelGilmore

Trudeau is just starting his apology for the St. Louis being turned away by Canada. There are survivors sitting in the gallery, watching closely.
#cdnpoli

“The Liberal government of Mackenzie King was unmoved by the plight of these refugees,” Trudeau said, adding that the government chose to “turn its back” on these victims of Hitler.

“When the Nazis conquered Belgium France and Holland, many of [the refugees] would be murdered,” he said of the refugees who were ultimately taken in by those countries.

Trudeau is now listing the history of persecution of Jewish people by Canada, pointing out that Canada was “indifferent” to their plight long before the St. Louis.

“These refugees would have made this country stronger and its people proud,” said Trudeau.

“Of all the allied countries, Canada would admit the fewest Jews between 1933 and 1945,” Trudeau said, noting that many of those who were let in were imprisoned alongside Nazis.

“Adolf Hitler’s test was one the Canadian government failed miserably,” said Trudeau.

There is little doubt that our silence permitted the Nazis to come up with their final solution to the “Jewish problem,” Trudeau said.

“Adolf Hitler alone did not seal the fate of the passengers of the St. Louis,” said Trudeau, adding that time has not reduced the shame.

He’s now issuing an apology to the victims and their families “we are sorry for the callousness of Canada’s response, we are sorry for not apologizing sooner.”

“We failed them, and for that we are sorry,” Trudeau said.

Instead, we let antisemitiam take hold in our communities and become our official policy, Trudeau said.

When Canada turned its back on the Jews of Europe, we turned our backs on Jewish Canadians as well. It was unacceptable then, it is unacceptable now, he said.

They were scientists and activists, ministers and singers...they were and continue to be proudly Jewish and proudly Canadian, Trudeau said.

As we stand here today, we are reminded not only of how far we’ve come but of how far we still have to go, Trudeau said.

Trudeau is now referencing the violence in Pittsburg against the Jewish worshippers at their synagogue. “They were murdered in their sanctuary on Shabbat because they were Jews.”

He said Canada and Canadians will stand together to call out the hatred that incited such attacks. There was a round of applause.

Following the recent horrific attack in Pittsburg, Jewish Canadians are understandably feeling vulnerable, he said. He said the government is working with the Jewish community to protect them against threats.

“I pledge to you now: we will do more,” Trudeau said.

While no words will ever erase their pain, it is our sincere hope that this apology will help them heal, Trudeau said of the St. Louis survivors.

Trudeau concluded his apology with a pledge: “never again.”