The history of the world is replete with such occurrences, which have subjected many future generations to mental and psychological suffering. There are other instances in Canadian history as well, which in no manner fits well into the mould of the highest standards and values that we Canadians today cherish and enjoy.

The damage caused by such happenings is difficult to heal, but it almost always falls on the strong shoulders of the national political leadership to implement healthy measures, in order to repair them and build bridges of understanding between Canadian communities.

The Government of Canada has funded two projects designed to educate Canadians on the Komagata Maru incident. The announcement of these projects was done in Brampton by Devinder Shory, Member of Parliament for Calgary - Northeast, on behalf of Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

The funding, totalling $243,625, is being provided through the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP). These projects will help Canadians understand the impact of this incident, particularly on Indo-Canadians.

The Government of Canada feels such measures help us Canadians confront past misdeeds, reject the underlying notions that led to such happenings, and move our great nation forward as a united people.

The two projects are aimed at producing two valuable resources. One is a high quality hard cover book that will serve as a comprehensive account of the Komagata Maru incident, and the other is a documentary film that will reflect on the effects of the 'Continuous Journey provision of the Immigration Act of 1908' and the Chinese Head Tax on Asian immigrant workers.

Unfortunately, Liberal party leaders are leaving no stone unturned to paint this positive initiative into a contentious issue. The narrow approach of these leaders clearly reflects how they are seized by the mindset of opportunistic politics.

If ever the Liberal party was truthful and had felt heartfelt pains of this incident, it should have taken steps towards reconciliation and abridgement long before the Conservative government did.

All know that when the motion for offering an apology for the Komagata Maru incident was passed in Canadian parliament in 2008, the Liberal party was out of power at the time. It would have, obviously, not been possible for this motion to pass until it received support from all political parties. And it is patently dishonest for any one person to claim credit for what was a result of a fair and just democratic process.

Many constituents from the riding (I am standing from, ie Brampton - Springdale), often want to confront such claims by asking what these leaders were doing when their favourite Paul Martin government was in power.

The crux of the matter is that it is way easier to play a blame game than adopt a proactive, positive approach. Prime Minister Harper has shown strong political will and courage by offering apologies for the Komagata Maru incident, which opponents find very hard to digest. The power and strength of his action has caught the opponents in a quagmire, and their frustration are clearly visible for all to observe.

The bitter truth is the Liberal government took no concrete step whatsoever in this direction because of a total lack of sincerity and commitment on its part. It has historically used immigrants, particularly Indo-Canadians, to its political advantage, rather than being a true friend as claimed.

Immigrant communities now unmistakably understand the true nature of the double-faced politics being played on them, and are no longer ready to be a pawn in a clever hand.

- Parm Gill, Federal Conservative candidate for Brampton - Springdale