Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement on Raoul Wallenberg Day:
“In 1944, as the Hungarian government sought peace with the allies, Hitler’s war machine occupied the country. Under a puppet government, the horrors of the Holocaust came to Hungary. Hundreds of thousands of Jews were sent to their murders at Auschwitz.
“Hoping to save Jews from persecution, Sweden appointed Raoul Wallenberg as legation secretary in Budapest. He worked quickly to issue thousands of protective passports and purchase property to shelter Jews throughout the city. His office would grow to 340 staff operating 32 buildings, providing a safe haven.
“As the months wore on, the situation continued to deteriorate. After the Allies crippled the rail networks, the Nazis ordered Jews to leave Hungary on foot in death marches. Wallenberg travelled alongside the marchers, distributing supplies and continuing to issue protective letters even as guards threatened to shoot him.
“With the Soviets encircling the city, fellow diplomats implored him to join the rest of the Swedish diplomatic mission in moving to safety. Wallenberg was undeterred, telling his colleague, ‘I’ve accepted this assignment, and I could never return to Stockholm without the knowledge that I’d done everything in human power to save as many Jews as possible.’ He was never seen again.
“40 years ago, Raoul Wallenberg was made the first-ever honorary Canadian citizen in recognition of his unparalleled heroism in the face of great evil. Today, we honour this incredible statesman who continues to serve as a shining example of true courage and conviction amidst dark times.”