Anthony Rota, the speaker of the Canadian House, resigned after receiving criticism for his ovation for a Ukrainian soldier with Nazi connections. Rota, the speaker of the lower house of the Canadian House of Commons, resigned from his position on Tuesday.
The Controversial Tribute
The change occurred less than a week after he gave a 98-year-old former soldier who fought for the Nazis during World War 2 his due in public accolades. Nazi veteran Yaroslav Hunka was invited to the Canadian Parliament and hailed by Anthony Rota as a “war hero.” “This House is above any of us. Therefore, I must step down as your Speaker,” Canada‘s CBC news quoted Anthony Rota as saying.
Rota’s Apology and Accountability
Rota stated that his recognition of Hunka “caused pain to individuals and communities,” including Jews, Poles, and “other survivors of Nazi atrocities,” as he announced his decision to resign as Speaker of the House of Commons. Hunka was a member of one of Adolf Hitler’s Waffen SS units during World War Two, and he got two standing ovations from lawmakers. “That public recognition has caused pain to individuals and communities, including the Jewish community in Canada and around the world … I accept full responsibility for my actions,” news agency Reuters quoted Rota as saying.
Rota’s Resignation and Deputy Speaker Takes the Helm
Wednesday will mark Rota’s resignation, and a deputy speaker will preside until then. Earlier, Anthony Rota expressed regret for recognising a member of the audience in the gallery and apologised to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Canada this week, Hunka, a former soldier, was invited to the Canadian Parliament.
Justin Trudeau’s Meeting with Nazi Veteran Sparks Criticism
Notably, Hunka, a former member of the SS’s 14th Waffen Grenadier Division, was honoured and met with by Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada. Rota claimed sole responsibility for the incident, despite opposition parties blaming Trudeau’s Liberal administration for what they called failures.
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