Canada: House Speaker Apologizes for Praising Ukrainian who Fought for Nazis

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Facts

  • The speaker of Canada's House of Commons on Sunday apologized after commemorating a Ukrainian veteran who fought alongside the Nazis during World War II.1
  • Speaker Anthony Rota honored the 98-year-old veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, during Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Canada's parliament on Friday. Rota described Hunka as a 'Ukrainian hero and a Canadian hero,' adding that he was 'a veteran from the Second World War who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians.'2
  • Hunka received two standing ovations while Zelenskyy could be seen raising his fist towards the man. However, it soon emerged that he fought in the First Ukrainian Division — also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division or the SS 14th Waffen Division — a voluntary unit that was under the command of the Nazis and has been implicated in the extermination of Poles and Jews.3
  • After condemnation from several Jewish advocacy groups, Rota issued a statement saying no one 'was aware of my intention or of my remarks before I delivered them. This initiative was entirely my own.' The politician added that he wanted to extend his 'deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world.'2
  • However, Pierre Poilievre, leader of the opposition Conservative Party, placed the blame on Justin Trudeau, stating that the Prime Minister's office should have vetted Hunka's past before allowing a tribute to him in the parliament.2
  • In response, Liberal party leader Trudeau's office said the decision to invite Hunka had been made by the speaker's office alone, also stating that the apology 'was the right thing to do.'4

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2Toronto star, 3Ctvnews and 4BBC News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Cbc. The Canadian government did not know about Hunka's presence before hand. House speaker Rota was right to apologize for this lapse of judgement, but people are urged to not politicize this event so as to avoid further distress to Holocaust survivors.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Ctvnews. While an apology is welcome, Canadians also deserve a full explanation of how such a grave mistake could take place at the heart of the country's democracy. It has to be ensured that such a blunder is never again allowed to occur.

Predictions