Days after acknowledging a World War II figure associated with a Nazi unit during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s House of Commons visit, Canada’s Parliament Speaker, Anthony Rota, has resigned.
In an emotional address to lawmakers in Ottawa, Rota expressed regret and stated, “This House is above any of us. Therefore, I must step down as your speaker.” He had invited Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old hailed as a “Ukrainian hero”, to a special parliamentary session, unaware of Hunka’s association with the Nazi’s 14th Waffen Grenadier Division. This recognition drew applause from dignitaries present, including Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Rota, facing pressure from Canadian politicians, advocacy groups, and members of his own party, admitted to the oversight and the subsequent hurt it caused to various communities. He stated his resignation would be effective by the end of the following day.
The incident has been termed an “embarrassment” by Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, and other leaders have echoed the sentiment. The New Democratic Party’s House leader, Peter Julian, emphasized the gravity of Rota’s oversight and the consequent dent to the parliament’s reputation.
In the backdrop of Russia’s claims of “de-Nazifying” Ukraine, this episode has drawn sharp criticism, especially as Zelenskyy himself is of Jewish descent. The Russian authorities expressed their displeasure, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, “Such sloppiness of memory is outrageous.”
Amidst the controversy, questions have also been directed at Prime Minister Trudeau about the vetting process that allowed for such an oversight. Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre challenged the government’s intelligence in vetting such honors.
