Criticized for praising Castro, Justin Trudeau to miss funeral

Ontario: Justin Trudeau will not attend Fidel Castro`s funeral, the Canadian prime minister`s office said Monday, after he was rebuked for calling the late Cuban strongman and family friend a "remarkable leader."

Instead, Governor General David Johnston will represent Canada at the commemoration in honor of the former Cuban president in Havana Tuesday evening.

Trudeau described Castro after his passing as "a legendary revolutionary and orator." 

His kind words for Castro, however, were sharply criticized by the opposition and American conservatives who said he was praising a cruel dictator.

Pressed on the matter, Trudeau acknowledged the opposition`s concerns, saying: "He certainly was a polarizing figure, there certainly were significant concerns around human rights."