Speaker Anthony Rota has acknowledged the pain he has caused by introducing a veteran who served in a Nazi unit in the House of Commons ahead of the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday.
98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka received a standing ovation from Parliamentarians when introduced by Rota as having fought against the Soviets in WWII.
The Soviet Union fought against the Nazis with Allied Forces during the Second World War.
Rota address the House of Commons today, acknowledging the damage caused, and announced his resignation effective tomorrow. Rota says he takes full responsibility for the public recognition which has caused pain to the Jewish community as a whole and others who suffered due to Nazi atrocities in WWII.
(Image via CPAC.)
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland addressed the controversy with reporters in Ottawa today.
She calls the incident “completely unacceptable” and “a really, really damaging event” especially for the Jewish community, and around the world. She says neither the government of Canada nor the government of Ukraine was informed of Rota’s plans ahead of time.
