Fact Check: Video of the Canadian high commissioner dodging media on Khalistan is old

Hyderabad: Amid the increasing diplomatic tension between India and Canada, a video allegedly showing the high commissioner for Canada in India, Cameron MacKay, speaking to the media at a temple has gone viral on social media.

In the video, MacKay could be heard repeatedly saying, “In Canada, we love people of all faiths. All faiths are welcome in Canada.” He was replying to a question by a media person about Canada’s stance on pro-Khalistani outfits in the country.

Those sharing the video are suggesting that MacKay visited the Sikh temple before leaving the country on the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recent orders amid the ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada.

Canada has accused India of being involved in the June 18 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and the chief of the separatist organisation Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

A Facebook user shared the video with the caption, “Canadian Ambassador bowed down to Sri Darbar Sahib before returning to Canada. It is also a diplomatic art to burn hearts.”

An X user also shared the video with the caption, “Before leaving, the ambassador visited Sri Harmandir Sahib. Paid obeisance or fired shots.”

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the video is from 2022, showing MacKay visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi. It is being falsely linked to the ongoing diplomatic row.

Upon a reverse image search of the video’s keyframe, we found it posted on X by the news agency ANI on October 27, 2022. “‘In Canada, we love people of all faiths. All faiths are welcome in Canada,’ says High Commissioner for Canada in India Cameron MacKay when asked how is Canadian Govt dealing with Khalistani outfits, action against these outfits & his comment on “referendum” by them,” read the caption.

ANI also posted another video on the same day in which MacKay said, “Canada supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.”

The official X account of the High Commission of Canada in India reposted this video on the same date. The caption read, “Canada reiterates support for India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Further, we ran a keyword search and came across a report by India Today from October 27, 2022. It carried the same news of MacKay being asked about the measures taken up by the Canadian government to deal with pro-Khalistani outfits when he was visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi. The report also featured the viral video posted by ANI.

Hence, we conclude that an old video of the high commissioner for Canada in India, Cameron MacKay, is being falsely linked to the current ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada.