Fort MacMurray, Pakistan

David Yurdiga, the Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP, has issued an apology to the Indian community for his earlier mistake confusing India and Pakistan when he spoke at J. Howard Pew Park for the Fort Mcmurray Gujarati Cultural Society. The event was to celebrate the Independence of India. When asked about the error Yurdiga stated “I understand the information I was given regarding the India Independence Day speech was inaccurate; however I took full responsibility to ensure I made the appropriate adjustments during my speech. I am currently working with the community leaders of the Fort McMurray Gujarati Cultural Society, and I look forward to our meeting as discussed. All cultures and communities are critical to the success of our Canadian way of life, and I am committed and dedicated to continue working with the many diverse communities in this region.”

The formal apology by David Yurdiga about his error concerning Pakistan during his Fort MacMurray speech has not satisfied some in the local Indian community. According to Nidal Patel, who is a member of the group which held the event, “This guy was so rude. He did not properly apologize for his mistake or explain it to us. I mean everyone took it as a ‘Yeah, OK. That happens.’ But we were expecting an explanation and formal apology. We as a people are peaceful. We don’t do violence or those things. But India and Pakistan is a sensitive issue. To show up at an Indian ceremony and speak about Pakistan was seen as insensitive to us. We recognize it was a mistake, but at the same time, it seems he didn’t do his homework. Our flag was clearly not Pakistani. At the top, he did not properly apologize and express his mistake, and we would like one.”