Canada apologizes for honor awarded to ex-Nazi soldier in 1987

FILE PHOTO: Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, arrives to Britain's King Charles' reception at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain May 5, 2023 REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's Governor General Mary Simon has apologized for a top Canadian honor awarded in 1987 to a former Nazi soldier who moved to Canada after World War Two and went on to become the Chancellor of the University of Alberta.

The governor general at the time awarded the Order of Canada, a top civilian honor that recognizes outstanding achievement and service to the nation, to Peter Savaryn, who was praised for promoting multiculturalism in Canada.