Joginderjit Singh Jabal-
On July 12th, 1987, a cargo ship carrying 174 passengers arrived on the shores of Nova Scotia, bringing Sikhs from India. These individuals had boarded the ship in Rotterdam, embarking on a journey that would forever change their lives. This event marked a significant shift in Canadian immigration policy and brought attention to the plight of Sikhs in India under an oppressive regime of that time, a situation some argue persists today. Most passengers were Sikhs fleeing India due to political unrest in the late 1970s and early 1980s, culminating in Operation Blue Star. The Indian Army’s attack on the Golden Temple and other Gurdwaras led to widespread destruction and loss of life, deeply traumatizing the Sikh community. Following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984, anti-Sikh violence escalated, resulting in thousands of extrajudicial killings. Many Sikhs sought refuge abroad to escape persecution. Amidst this backdrop, many young Sikhs fled to Europe. While in Europe, they learned of an opportunity to voyage to Canada and made arrangements. With hopes raised by Canada’s acceptance of Tamil refugees in Newfoundland in August 1986, they decided to set sail. However, details about the voyage were scarce, and passengers were unaware of the ship’s conditions or provisions. The ship was an old cargo vessel and refugees had to stay in the hull without adequate rest or sanitation facilities. The journey was harsh, with rough Atlantic waters and rust falling from the hull. Passengers prayed continuously during the 19-day trip for safe arrival in Canada. When the ship’s engine failed, one of the passengers with engine experience managed to restart it. Food ran out and for the last four days, refugees survived on one water bottle each per day. On July 12, 1987, the ship approached Nova Scotia under dense fog. Instead of docking, refugees were told to use a marine evacuation slide to reach the shore. Fortunately, the waters were shallow upon disembarking, minimizing injuries. Refugees locked arms and walked through shallow, muddy waters to the shore. After gathering for prayer and waiting for the cargo ship to re-enter international waters as instructed, they moved further inland and met a pickup truck driver who confirmed they were in Canada. Cold and hungry, they followed Highway 3 to Charlesville, sitting in front of Vernon and Tim Malone’s home. The RCMP and Fire Department were called. Despite official advice not to interact, the Malones and the community helped feed the refugees, providing their first meal in days with peanut butter sandwiches. In a gesture of humanity, the people of Charlesville emptied their refrigerators to help. The refugees were then taken to the Woods Harbour Firehall and later to a local military base for processing. The Maritime Sikh Society in Halifax provided food and assistance. News of the refugees’ arrival spread across Canada, sparking a debate about their fate. Many Canadians felt that illegal entrants should be sent back, fearing Canada could become a haven for refugees. Others were concerned about the breach of Canada’s borders. However, the Canadian Sikh community organized to support the refugees, hiring law firms and advocating for their stay. There was a sentiment to avoid another incident similar to the Guru Nanak Jahaz (commonly referred to as the Komagata Maru) of 1914. The Canadian government’s stance was a stark contrast to the Tamil refugees that arrived only one year earlier when PM Brian Mulroney’s comments silenced his critics stating, “we are not in the business of turning away refugees.” However, during this incident, the PM ordered an emergency recall of Parliament to decide on the fate of the refugees with a
strong desire to send them back. The World Sikh Organization (WSO) took a leading role in the next steps. Sardar Gian Singh Sandhu, President of WSO Canada, liaised with government officials to find a solution for the release of the refugees. Working with lawyers hired by WSO, the Canadian government made an unprecedented decision to allow the refugees to stay in Canada if
bonds were placed for each individual. Lawyers for the WSO initially offered a blanket bond of $600,000 for all refugees, but this was refused. Instead, individual bonds were set based on perceived risk levels. This decision was influenced by the fact that one of the refugees had been deported from Canada previously. Additionally, some statements provided by the refugees in an effort to highlight their plight revealed affiliations with organizations in India opposing the government. Rather than supporting their case, these were seen as unfavorable and heightened security concerns. Renowned lawyer David Gibbons and local lawyer Lee Cohen worked on an amicable solution to keep the refugees in Canada. Recognizing the strong Sikh communities in Vancouver and Toronto, the WSO sought assistance from local communities to post the required bonds. The Western Regional office, led by Sardar Daljit Singh Sandhu and Sardar Surindar Singh Jabal and the Eastern Regional office, led by Sardar Inderjit Singh Bal and Sardar Harbajan Singh Pandori, reached out to the community for help. Although community members had no prior relationship with the refugees, bonds were posted for all 174 individuals. The total cost for bonds alone was $750,000, with overall costs exceeding $2 million.
It is important to note that not all passengers were Sikh; one woman was of Turkish descent, and a few others were of Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. However, the Sikh community posted bonds for all, irrespective of religion or background. Over the years, the Sikh refugees who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1987 have made significant contributions to Canadian society. They have become an integral part of the multicultural fabric of Canada, enriching it with their unique cultural heritage, values, community service and traditions. Their contributions span various sectors. Some have become successful entrepreneurs, establishing businesses that contribute to the local and national economy. These businesses range from small enterprises to large corporations, creating jobs and fostering economic growth. In addition, members of their families have excelled in professions such as medicine, engineering, law and academia; bringing their expertise and dedication to their respective fields.
In July 2024, to commemorate and recognize those who helped them 37 years ago, the refugees organized a caravan from Halifax to Charlesville adorned with Canadian flags as a recognition of the Canadian Government’s decision to allow them to stay. It also symbolized how they are proud Canadians today. Over the weekend, those that supported the refugees in time of need were recognized, including local residents of Charlesville, Sikh Societies and Gurdwaras, community members, lawyers and Canadian Government officials. Additionally, the refugees of 1987 established an annual scholarship for a child attending university from Charlesville, donated funds to the local community center and fire department, offered to pay for books for the local library and planned a monument to establish a park where the cargo ship stopped. Their story is one of gratitude wrapped in advocacy and activism. There was a commitment to support the community that supported them.
As Canada continues to embrace multiculturalism, the experiences of the Sikh refugees in Nova Scotia serve as an inspiring example of successful integration and mutual enrichment. Their story underscores the importance of providing refuge to those in need and the profound impact that such humanitarian efforts can have on both individuals and society as a whole.
