CHEK
B.C. cities love civic proclamations, but those honours will be given greater attention after Victoria, Nanaimo and Surrey all named civic days after a request by something called the United States of Kailasa.
On its website, Kailasa describes itself as “a community established as a safe haven to all the world’s practicing, aspiring or persecuted Hindus, irrespective of race, gender, sect, or caste.”
After the country was determined to be fake, Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog calls it a “teachable moment”.
“It’s embarrassing and makes you feel foolish, but as I’ve said it’s not the end of the world,” said Krog on Wednesday from Nanaimo City Hall. “The city policy for some time now is very simple, a request is sent in, it’s sent around, and if no one objects a proclamation is made.”
The proclamation, which was made on July 3, has been rescinded by all three cities, but they’re not the only ones to fall for it. Newark, New Jersey, accepted a “sister city” partnership with Kailasa in March. The agreement was rescinded by Newark city council just six days later.
Nanaimo’s mayor has a sense of humour about the gaffe.
“What is it Clinton said? You can put lipstick on a pig, but if you do you might make a mistake in the dark.”
Jordan Cunningham
