Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned a Canadian official for attending a Russia Day Party at the Russian embassy at a time Canada is trying to distance itself from the country due to the war in Ukraine.
During a recent question period, Trudeau said: “Obviously, it is absolutely unacceptable for any Canadian representative to be at this event. It never should have happened, and we denounce it thoroughly.”
Global Affairs’ Deputy Protocol Chief Yasemin Heinbecker attended the event with representatives of Egypt, Pakistan and some African nations.
Trudeau responded after interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen asked him why his government would send a representative “to their enemy’s house to enjoy champagne and caviar.” Bergen said she hopes Trudeau offers an apology to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
While talking further, Trudeau said he spoke with Zelenskyy over the phone about Canada’s support for the country but the issue of the party “did not come up.”
Global Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said it was “unacceptable” that Heinbecker attended the event.
She tweeted: “No Canadian representative should have attended the event hosted at the Russian embassy and no Canadian representative will attend this kind of event again.”
So far, Canada has sanctioned over 1,000 individuals and organizations since the invasion of Ukraine started and has been a leading global voice in slamming Russia for the war.
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