House Speaker ‘reflecting’ after tribute to veteran of Nazi unit: Trudeau
Global News
House Speaker Anthony Rota is 'reflecting' amid calls for his resignation over his tribute to a veteran of a Nazi unit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.
House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota is “reflecting” amid calls for his resignation over his tribute to a Ukrainian veteran who fought in a Nazi unit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.
Rota faced calls from the NDP and the Bloc Québécois to resign as Speaker on Monday after he brought 98-year-old Ukrainian-Canadian Yaroslav Hunka to Parliament Hill for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Ottawa on Sept. 22.
Hunka fought for Nazi Germany as a member of the First Ukrainian Division, also known as the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, during the Second World War. The “hero,” as Rota described last Friday, received two separate standing ovations in the House of Commons.
“This was deeply embarrassing in the House and for Canada. It’s a good thing that Speaker Rota apologized personally, and I’m sure he’s reflecting now on how you ensure the dignity of the House going forward,” Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday.
He added House leaders will be having “very important conversations” later on Tuesday.
Rota has apologized twice — first on Sunday when Hunka’s background emerged — and again on Monday. He said he had no knowledge of Hunka’s history, and expressed regret for his decision.
Despite calls for an apology by prominent Jewish organizations, Opposition MPs said it wasn’t enough and demanded Rota’s resignation from the role, though Conservatives have not yet done so.
“The Parliament entrusts the Speaker to guide this Parliament through challenging circumstances,” said New Westminster—Burnaby MP Peter Julian on Monday in a statement directed to Rota.
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