Manitoba MP facing backlash over tweet about Ukraine
A Manitoba NDP MP is being asked to apologize for a tweet she made about Ukraine.
Ottawa is providing Ukraine with $120 million in economic aid as tensions continue to mount with Russia.
Winnipeg Centre’s Leah Gazan called the move horrifying, suggesting the funds are earmarked for an anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi militia.
“As a descendent of a Holocaust survivor, the Canadian government’s 120 million dollars of funding for an anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi & fascist militia is horrifying. The rise of white supremacy and fascism is real. Time to stop the cowboy politics!” her tweet said.
Now, Gazan is facing backlash.
“I felt deeply offended and insulted. I was actually shocked by the apparent lack of knowledge," said Andriy Zayarnyuk, a historian at the University of Winnipeg.
Zayarnyuk added that Gazan got her basic facts wrong.
“The $120 million right she mentions, it’s an aid to the Ukrainian state,” Zayarnyuk said.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress released a statement calling Gazan’s comments appalling, urging the federal NDP to condemn what it described as inaccurate and hurtful remarks.
“It should be retracted and an apology should come from that individual,” said Orest Cap from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress provincial council.
Gazan’s office told CTV News Winnipeg the MP was unavailable for an interview.
In a statement to her website Gazan, explained she is alarmed that Canada may have provided training to far-right groups in Ukraine’s military in the past, citing a CTV News story from last year detailing allegations that some neo-Nazi and far-right groups bragged about training they received from Canada.
“I did not equate the situation in Ukraine to the Holocaust and I do not believe that the vast majority of Ukrainian people or its democratically elected leaders share the beliefs espoused by far-right militias,” the statement said.
“I sincerely regret that my tweet did not include this important context and may have resulted in harm.”
Scholars in the Ukrainian community said these types of sentiments about Ukraine’s military are used as bait by the Russians.
“This is a true Russian disinformation tactic used to create friction,” Cap said.
In her statement, Gazan also said she is concerned by Russia’s actions, and that Canada should use diplomatic measures to ease tensions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.