Canada’s House Speaker Apologizes for Praising Ukrainian WWII Veteran with Nazi Ties

Canada’s House Speaker has issued an apology for praising a Ukrainian man who served in a Nazi unit during World War Two. Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old veteran, received a standing ovation in parliament during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Canadian Jewish group CIJA expressed deep concern over the celebration of a veteran from a Nazi division involved in the genocide of Jews. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was present during the incident. The Speaker, Anthony Rota, has accepted full responsibility and extended his apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world.

The Speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, Anthony Rota, has apologized for praising a Ukrainian man who served in a Nazi unit during World War Two.

Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old veteran, received a standing ovation in parliament during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Canadian Jewish group CIJA expressed deep concern over the celebration of a veteran from a Nazi division involved in the genocide of Jews.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was present during the incident, but the decision to invite Mr. Hunka was made by the Speaker’s office alone.

Canada’s House Speaker apologises for praising Ukrainian Nazi veteran

The Speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, Anthony Rota, has issued an apology for his remarks praising a Ukrainian man who served in a Nazi unit during World War Two. Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old veteran, was celebrated in parliament during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, the Canadian Jewish group CIJA expressed deep concern over the celebration of a veteran from a Nazi division involved in the genocide of Jews. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was present during the incident, but the decision to invite Mr. Hunka was made solely by the Speaker’s office.

Apology and Responsibility

The Speaker, Anthony Rota, has taken full responsibility for his actions and extended his deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world. He acknowledged that he had become aware of additional information that led him to regret his decision to praise Mr. Hunka. The Canadian Jewish group CIJA appreciated the apology and emphasized the importance of proper vetting to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Calls for Prime Minister’s Apology

The opposition Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize for the incident. However, the Prime Minister’s office stated that the decision to invite Mr. Hunka was made by the Speaker’s office alone and that no advance notice was provided to them or the Ukrainian delegation. They supported the Speaker’s apology, stating that it was the right thing to do.

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