Apology for 1939 remains important

Re: Sorry state of affairs, May 10

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is absolutely right in apologizing for Canada’s refusal to accept the refugees aboard the St. Louis in 1939, and to often repeat such an apology into the future if he chooses.

The blame for that terrible tragedy is on the prime minister of the time, William Lyon Mackenzie King.

He could have refused to take the advice of one immigration official and given those desperate people safety in our country.

It is no excuse that other countries had also turned them away.

It can be accepted that “apologies do not erase iniquity,” as how can such expressions today efface what happened to those human beings?

However, an apology now from our prime minister on our behalf is the least that can be done.

Jeanette Mather, Kanata