Governor General’s Office Apologizes for Honoring Former Canadian Chancellor and Nazi Fighter with Order of Canada
OTTAWA – The Governor General’s office has expressed deep regret for granting one of Canada’s highest civilian honors to a man who fought for a Nazi unit during World War II. Peter Savaryn, a former chancellor of the University of Alberta and leader of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians, was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1987.
In a statement issued by Lynne Santerre, deputy director of public affairs for the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, the office issued a sincere apology to Canadians for any distress caused by Savaryn’s appointment. The statement explained that historical appointments to the Order of Canada reflect a specific moment in time and were based on limited information sources available at that time.
The recent revelation that Yaroslav Hunka, another fighter from the same unit, was invited to attend a speech by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prompted the resignation of Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also issued an apology on behalf of Canada’s Parliament for applauding and giving a standing ovation to Hunka, whom Rota had described as a hero.
The Governor General’s office stated that it is committed to listening to Canadians and responding to new information that emerges. However, since Savaryn passed away in 2017, his membership in the Order of Canada has already been terminated and therefore cannot be revoked.
The controversy surrounding these appointments has reignited calls for the release of the full records from the 1986 inquiry on war criminals, known as the Deschenes Commission. Hundreds of pages from the report have never been made public. Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that the declassification of these documents requires careful consideration.
This situation has shed light on the colonial relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom at the time, as it’s estimated that thousands of members of the Waffen SS were admitted into Canada on the recommendation of the British government. David Matas, senior counsel to B’nai Brith Canada, emphasized the need for the release of the full records in order to address the current situation effectively.
Despite the controversy surrounding Savaryn’s appointment, it is important to acknowledge his contributions and achievements. He chaired the World Congress of Free Ukrainians, founded the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies and the Alberta Cultural Heritage Council, and received several accolades during his lifetime.
Moving forward, the Governor General’s office and the Canadian government have vowed to take appropriate actions in light of new information and to learn from past mistakes. The release of the Deschenes Commission records and a thorough examination of immigration policies have been proposed as potential avenues of addressing these issues effectively and systematically.
Ultimately, the apology issued by the Governor General’s office highlights the importance of reflecting on historical moments, acknowledging mistakes, and striving for transparency and accountability. Canadians expect their highest civilian honors to uphold the values and principles they hold dear, and it is crucial to ensure that future appointments align with their expectations.
