Sun Sea: Five Years Later

In August 2010, a rickety ship, the MV Sun Sea, arrived in Canadian waters off Vancouver Island, carrying 492 people to Canada. Ten months earlier, in October 2009, the MV Ocean Lady had arrived on the west coast, carrying 76 people. The passengers, all from Sri Lanka, made refugee claims.

The response to the two boats, especially the Sun Sea, was massive. Five years later, it is useful to review the many facets of Canada’s response to the arrival of the Sun Sea. 

Revised August 2015