Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has denounced the attendance of a Canadian official at a Russian Day party at the Russian embassy while Canada is trying to secede from the country due to the Ukrainian war.
“Obviously, it is absolutely unacceptable for any Canadian representative to be at this event,” Trudeau said Tuesday during question period. “It should never have happened, and we denounce it thoroughly.”
Global Affairs Deputy Chief of Protocol Yasemin Heinbecker attended the event on Friday, along with representatives from Egypt, Pakistan and some African nations. Globe and Mail reported the attendance first.
Read more: “Unacceptable” for a Canadian official who attended the celebration of Russia Day: Joly
Trudeau’s response came after interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen asked him why the government was sending a representative “to his enemy’s house to enjoy champagne and caviar.” Bergen said he hoped Trudeau would apologize to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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Trudeau said he spoke to Zelenskyy on the phone today about Canada’s support for the country, but the issue of the party “did not arise”.
Global Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said on Sunday that it was “unacceptable” for Heinbecker to attend the event.
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0:54 Joly says a Canadian officer attending the celebration of Russia Day should not have passed. Joly says a Canadian official attending Russia Day should not have passed
“No Canadian representative should have attended the event organized at the Russian embassy and no Canadian representative will attend this type of event again,” Joly said in a Twitter post.
Joly said he did not know the officer would attend the event and only found out after media reports.
Canada has sanctioned more than 1,000 people and organizations since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24 and has been a world leader in condemning Russia for the war.
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1:15 NDP criticizes Foreign Minister for attending Canadian official celebration of Russia Day Previous video Next video
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