The author is an immigrant from Poland who resides in the Nipissing—Timiskaming riding and seeks open dialogue and public discussion with MP Rota on the matter. He maintains Rota's admission of responsibility and apology falls short for Polish-Canadians and suggests the Liberal Party of Canada first learn historical facts in order to properly understand the implications not only of their actions but their omissions.
Dear Mr. Rota, Speaker of the House,
I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent incident in the Canadian Parliament, where applause was extended to an individual who was a member of a unit that committed horrific crimes against humanity during World War II.
In this instance, an apology was issued, which I appreciate; however, I believe it is crucial to address some further concerns and demands on behalf of the Polish-Canadian community.
See related: Rota takes responsibility for decision to invite a Nazi war veteran to the Commons
Perhaps there is some degree of ignorance surrounding the history of the division with which your guest was associated. This division, known for its role in rounding up Polish civilians and burning them alive in barns, as well as terrorizing Polish villages and murdering Polish women and children, is deeply intertwined with the same abhorrent forces that constituted the SS and Wehrmacht. These crimes were not isolated incidents; they were carried out willingly and voluntarily by those associated with this division.
While your apology is a step in the right direction, it falls short of rectifying the situation adequately. It is my firm belief, shared by many in the Polish-Canadian community and beyond, that your government's apology inadvertently omitted a crucial acknowledgement. This omission has led to considerable hurt and
anger among the Polish-Canadian population and serves as a painful reminder of the suffering that occurred during those dark days of the past.
See also: Rota under fire for honouring a North Bay resident with Nazi ties
As a result, I, on behalf of the Polish-Canadian community, strongly urge you to not only acknowledge this omission but to rectify it appropriately. The omission, whether intentional or inadvertent, has deeply insulted the memory of the victims of the volunteer division, as well as the wider community of Canadians who believe in justice, human rights, and historical truth.
I, personally, am eager to hear back from you and implore that you convey the urgency of this matter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It would be a further insult if this issue were left unresolved and unaddressed, as it affects not only the Polish-Canadian community but also the broader Canadian population.
I look forward to your prompt response and actions taken to address these concerns.
Sincerely,
Kamil Wróblewski
