The High Commissioner of Canada visiting Gurudwara is from 2022 and not a recent video
Claim
Before leaving, the ambassador visited Sri Harmandir Sahib. Paid obeisance or fired shots?
Rating
Explanation
India and Canada are caught up in a tense diplomatic showdown over the assassination of a Canadian Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar to India’s government. Both countries have since expelled top diplomats.
In the above 20-second viral video it’s claimed that while leaving the country the Canadian ambassador paid a visit to the Harmandir Sahib. It’s heard in the video that the anchor is asking, “How is your government dealing with the outfits called Khalistan which is known as anti-India?” For that, the ambassador is heard saying, “Well in Canada we love all faiths.” The reporter went on to ask, “So any action against the Khalistani outfits?” Again we hear the ambassador saying, “All faiths are welcome in Canada.” The reporter further added, “ Any comments on the referendum they called?” The ambassador is heard saying again, “ All faiths are welcome in Canada.” Come, let’s check the authenticity of this viral claim.
What’s the truth?
When we started our research we found out that the video was one year old and from October 2022. This viral clip was shot when Cameron MacKay, High Commissioner for Canada in India visited the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi last year. While watching the video we can see the ‘ANI’ mic logo on the clip and we took that as a cue and searched further regarding the original version.
We found the ‘ANI’ original version posted on its X account on 27 October 20222 with the caption, “Delhi:” “Canada supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India,” says Canadian High Commissioner Cameron MacKay. Earlier today he had said, “In Canada, we love people of all faiths. All faiths welcome in Canada,” when asked about Khalistanis in Canada.
This same tweet was also posted by the official handle of the High Commission of ‘Canada in India’with the caption, “Canada reiterates support for India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” This was also retweeted by MacKay’s official X account.
The above evidence proves that the viral clip is one year old and is shared with false narratives.
Conclusion:
Therefore, we conclude that the viral claim that the Canadian ambassador paid a visit to the Harmandir sahib is false. However, the video is old and from 2022 during Cameron MacKay, High Commissioner of Canada in India visited the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib at Delhi.
