The Canadian government is examining archival materials from the 1980s Deschene Commission to determine what can be released to the public. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that authorities will review the commission’s archives to assess what portions should be made accessible, with the goal of providing Canadians a clearer view of the nation’s recent history. This step follows broad public interest and debate about how Canada has confronted its wartime past and the presence of Nazi collaboration in the country’s postwar years.
The Deschene Commission produced a two-volume final report in 1986. The first volume contained recommendations aimed at facilitating extradition proceedings for individuals accused of Nazi war crimes and was released publicly. The second volume, however, was kept classified and did not disclose the names of individuals alleged to have collaborated with the Nazis in Canada. This split has long sparked questions about transparency and accountability in Canada’s handling of wartime justice and refugee policy.
Jewish organizations, including B’nai B’rith and the Center for Friends of Simon Wiesenthal, have urged that the second volume be declassified and released. They argue that public access would help Canadians understand a troubling chapter of national history and the country’s role in harboring people with war-time ties. The issue was framed by some commentators as part of a longer history of dealing with those affiliations after World War II, a history that has left scars in the national memory. Canadian broadcast outlets have noted the ongoing discussion surrounding this historical record.
Recent parliamentary events have intensified scrutiny of post-war immigration decisions. A widely publicized incident involving a 98-year-old former member of the Waffen-SS Galicia division has prompted renewed debate about who was allowed to settle in Canada after the war and under what circumstances, including how past affiliations were handled in government records and immigration policy. The episode has brought fresh attention to how Canada reviews and records the backgrounds of newcomers and long-time residents alike, and how this history should be presented to the public. The issue is being examined within the context of safeguarding national memory and ensuring that public institutions reflect the country’s values and accountability standards.
Trudeau indicated to CBC that senior government officials are approaching the matter with care and are considering a careful review of the archives. The goal is to balance transparency with security and privacy considerations, ensuring any released material is accurate and responsibly contextualized. This process aligns with broader efforts to improve public access to government records while preserving sensitive information where appropriate for national security and legal reasons.
Earlier reporting noted that there were financial connections involving Galician chapter members who transferred funds to a Canadian university, highlighting how post-war networks sometimes intersected with academic and civic institutions. The episode is often cited in discussions about the persistence of wartime loyalties and the complexities of immigration policy in the years after the war. In the wake of the parliamentary uproar, there have also been actions to reassess monuments and memorials connected to Nazi officers, reflecting a broader reckoning with historical memory and public commemorations in Canada.