Poilievre calls for Trudeau to apologize over Speaker's Nazi invite as MPs begin jockeying for the job

While Anthony Rota won't be in the big chair presiding over House of Commons proceedings on Wednesday, it is his last sitting day holding the title of Speaker and already the jockeying for his job has begun. And while some of the initial acrimony has calmed, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is continuing to push for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize on Canada's behalf.

While Anthony Rota won't be in the big chair presiding over House of Commons proceedings on Wednesday, it is his last sitting day holding the title of Speaker and already the jockeying for his job has begun.

Confirming his intention to run, Conservative MP and deputy Speaker Chris d'Entremont told reporters on Parliament Hill Wednesday morning that talks are underway among the opposition parties to try to see an opposition MP elected Speaker, given their combined leverage over the minority Liberal government.

"There has to be some more decorum in the House, have more respect for one another. I think we have to completely look at how the individual made it into the into the gallery, and how it was missed so that it doesn't happen again," he said, pitching what his vision would be should he secure the promotion.

Rota's resignation was a result of all-party pressure for him to do so, over inviting 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran Yaroslav Hunka who fought in a volunteer unit under Nazi command to Parliament. The recognition came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address last Friday and has led to international embarrassment for the Canadian government. 

And while some of the initial acrimony has calmed over the mistake for which Rota has taken full responsibility, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is continuing to push for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to heed requests from Jewish advocacy groups for a personal apology and a probe to prevent a similar sordid situation from occurring again.

"There's always someone else to blame when it comes to Justin Trudeau. But, here's the reality: responsibility and power go together. If he wants the power, he has to take the responsibility and come to the floor of the House of Commons today and apologize," Poilievre said. "The prime minister needs to let the world know that he takes responsibility for this colossal failure."

While Trudeau walked past reporters without stopping to take questions on his way in to Wednesday's Liberal caucus meeting, he is scheduled to be in question period. It's his day of the week to field all of the questions, so he is expected to have to address the matter head-on, for the first time in the House since the controversy exploded.