A Toronto city councillor came under fire Wednesday night for a controversial comment he made about the Armenian genocide during an executive committee meeting.

The comment was made while the committee was debating a proposal to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the genocide by displaying a donated monument on public property.

“We’ve come a long way from that unfortunate mishap,” Coun. Peter Leon said during the discussion.

After facing strong criticism on social media for minimizing the massacre, Leon was asked by reporters to explain his comment. Leon told CP24’s Rena Heer that his words were taken out of context but refused to elaborate any further.

The motion to commemorate the event was tabled by Coun. Shelley Carol, who said she is disappointed the committee did not make a decision on the request.

“They simply would like to donate (a monument) to public property because it is not unusual for any group when they are acknowledging the centennial of something to say, 'Let’s have a fundraising program and do a special thing you do on public property,'" she said.

The executive committee asked city staff to consult Turkish and Armenian groups about the monument offer before making a decision on the matter.