Ignatieff Seeks Forgiveness

By Walter Kish

Michael Ignatieff, newly crowned leader of the Liberal Party, came calling on the Ukrainian community in Toronto on Friday, May 8, seeking to make peace and obviously looking to shore up his troubled reputation with one of Canada’s largest and most active ethnic groups. 

The problems date back to 1994 when in his book Blood and Belonging, he made some disparaging and intemperate remarks about Ukrainians, reflecting what many claimed to be historically chauvinistic Russian views.  The aggravation continued when he was parachuted into the Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding in 1995 as a star candidate, displacing potential Ukrainian hopefuls for the nomination.  The last straw happened recently when he dumped the prominent and popular Ukrainian Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj from the Liberal shadow cabinet.  The result has been a storm of condemnation and criticism in the Ukrainian media throughout Canada.

The message must have finally reached him, as over the past few months, Ignatieff has been striving to make amends, holding a series of meetings with the Ukrainian communities in Edmonton, Winnipeg and most recently here in Toronto, trying to repair the damage.  With a federal election likely in the not so distant future, the motivations would appear to be obvious.  What is interesting is that Borys Wrzesnewskyj has swallowed his understandable disappointment (not to mention a little pride) and has played a leading role in helping Ignatieff repair his standing with Ukrainian Canadians.  Being the good and dutiful Liberal, not to mention pragmatic, he is making the most out of a difficult situation and can only be commended for his efforts.

As for the meeting itself, I must say that it proved to be a fairly successful public relations exercise for Mr. Ignatieff.  It is obvious that he is both a polished politician and public speaker. 

Whatever question was asked, he always managed to find an opportunity to inject both praise for the Ukrainian community in Canada as well voice his strong support for Ukraine’s independence and aspirations.  He took pains to point out his family’s connections to Ukraine, the fact that his family was also victimized by the Bolsheviks, that his father rubbed shoulders with fellow “bohunks” after he immigrated to Canada, and that he has been a life-long human rights activist.  On numerous occasions he emphasized his deep respect for Ukrainian culture and the Ukrainian people.

On specific policy question relating to multiculturalism, immigration and Ukraine’s political future he gave all the right answers. He strongly supports Ukraine’s membership in NATO.  When the Liberals return to power, he stated that he will encourage and facilitate increased Ukrainian immigration to Canada.  He would also assist Ukraine with Canadian nuclear technology to help wean her off dependence on Russian gas and oil.  He promised that as PM he would personally meet with Putin and tell him to keep his hands off Ukraine.  All in all, he made a very strong and persuasive case that he was a true friend of Ukraine and Ukrainians.

And yet, a certain unease still remains. The first thing he did after being introduced was to apologize for his remarks about Ukrainians in his book Blood and Belonging.  I was particularly intrigued with his choice of words.  He offered his apology and stated that he was profusely sorry if his “words of fifteen years ago caused any offence”.  He emphasized that this was never his intent and that he took full responsibility for them.  Despite being prompted and given several opportunities to do so, what he did not say was that he now disagreed with what he said then.  He did not recant his negative characterizations of Ukrainians nor repudiate them. He simply said he was sorry if we were offended.

Perhaps to some this may seem like a small point, but I know that being an academic, author and intellectual of his calibre, the choice of words as well as their absence can imply much more than just the surface meaning.

Despite my remaining doubts, it was obvious that the meeting was valuable and constructive in rebuilding bridges between Ignatieff and the Liberal party and the Ukrainian community.  He may not yet be a true friend, but at least he succeeded in reassuring many amongst those present that he will support the key political and policy issues that we hold dear.  For now we should give him the benefit of the doubt.  It is highly likely that he will be the next Prime Minister and is better to declare truce and try to work with him.