Beating Ottawa to the punch, B.C. politicians gathered in the legislature last Friday to speak to Motion 62 — an apology for the racism that forced all but 22 of the passengers to travel the harrowing voyage all the way back to India in 1914.

"This incident . . . is a stain on the ethics and values that we hold so dearly, that is, inclusiveness and respect for others," said Burnaby Willingdon MLA John Nuraney.

"This act of racism has become an indelible memory in the minds of the pioneers and Canadians who worked so hard to make our province what it is today."

The apology came on the 94th anniversary of the vessel's arrival at Vancouver's harbour on May 23, 1914.

Just as B.C. delivered its apology, the Sea Lion tugboat, which was hired to escort the Komagata Maru out of English Bay, was sold for $140,000 at a local auction to an unnamed buyer from Manitoba.

The Komagata Maru Heritage Foundation had been keeping the boat at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, which is relocating to North Vancouver as the National Maritime Centre next year.

"It's unfortunate we had to auction the boat but we just had no where to put it," said foundation president, Harbhajan Gill.

"We're hoping (the new owner) bought it for the Olympics and afterward he will want to give it back, by which time we'll have a site we can park it and create a memorial," added Gill, who attened the apology ceremony in Victoria.

"The apology was very well done," he said. "Lots of people from our community showed up as it was very much appreciated."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to make a formal apology in the near future.

"Redressing the past injustice may bring up many unpleasant memories," said Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee. "Sometimes it's like cutting open a scar - painful. However, any surgeon can tell you that if the wound is not treated right, it will not heal properly."