Check It Out: Be careful what you applaud
By Joan Janzen
A child said, “I try to teach my mom something new every day. Because you’re supposed to learn from your mistakes.” Hopefully, there will be a lesson learned from a mistake that took place in the House of Commons last week.
Although it’s news everyone has already heard about, it’s worth regurgitating. It’s noteworthy that those who profess to be the authorities on qualifying what is disinformation and misinformation invited a WWII veteran who served in a Nazi unit as their special guest to the House of Commons.
It’s even more unfortunate that the special guest’s visit coincided with the eve of Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days for Jews. MP Michelle Rempel-Garner pointed out the irony of the situation, writing in an email, “The Liberals, for years, have insinuated that some Canadians are Nazi sympathizers, but then allowed someone who reportedly actually fought for those forces into the House of Commons to be recognized.”
Independent journalists were credited with pointing out the error, while the mainstream media rushed to give the Liberals the benefit of the doubt. And the Liberals are calling it an “oversight” on their part.
Everyone in the House gave this guest not one but two standing ovations. Perhaps everyone applauded because they assumed such an individual wouldn’t be recognized in the House of Commons. Even President Zelenskyy applauded.
You would think the Prime Minister’s personal protocol office would check out the history of invited guests for state visits. However, Trudeau’s office issued a statement claiming no prior knowledge of the individual. One has to question whether they scrutinize their guests.
Brian Lilley with the Toronto Sun said in an online interview, “As this story started to break out, I was watching football with a bunch of guys who have all worked in politics, and they’re saying there’s no way there weren’t at least ten pairs of eyes on this.”
Andrew Lawton from True North offered his opinion about the ordeal, saying online, “Everyone is accused of being a Nazi, and there will come a time when there are none left on this earth. But the very lowest bar possible is that we shouldn’t honour them and give them standing ovations in the House of Commons.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said they are deeply troubled and disturbed by the situation. The National Citizens Coalition credited the poor decision as a matter of shortsightedness and ignorance of history.
Before this incident occurred, Faytene TV interviewed Josh Reinstein, president of the Israel Allies Foundation. Josh grew up in Toronto and is a Jew. “The fight against anti-Semitism is where Canada needs the most work. Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Canada like never before. I never seen anything like this when I was a kid growing up in Toronto. There are almost daily attacks on the Jewish community with impunity.”
House Speaker Rota extended apologies to the Jewish community in Canada and took responsibility for what was characterized as an oversight. Later in the week, he handed in his resignation. And in an effort to absolve themselves of all guilt, the following Monday, the Liberal Government House Leader attempted to move a motion to erase all records of recognizing the 98-year-old veteran.
Michelle Rempel-Garner noted, “But there’s one thing that Jews know, it’s that when history is erased, lessons are forgotten.”
Brian Lilley with the Toronto Sun said, “Justin Trudeau has a habit of calling anyone who disagrees with him a Nazi. The penchant for doing it has to go out the window. This is something that should have stopped a long time ago. This should finally come to an end.”
Hopefully, they will have learned something from their mistake.