'A shock and an embarrassment': Canada's governor general on Parliament's recognition of Nazi veteran
CTV
Canada's Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War was 'a shock and an embarrassment,' and she's considering personally reaching out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Canada's Gov. Gen. Mary Simon says Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War was "a shock and an embarrassment," and she's considering personally reaching out to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Simon, as the representative of Canada's head of state King Charles III, welcomed Zelenskyy and the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska last Friday for a visit at Rideau Hall before the Ukrainian delegation travelled to Parliament Hill.
While she was not present for Zelenskyy's address or Parliament's recognition of 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran Yaroslav Hunka, in an exclusive interview airing Sunday on CTV's Question Period with Vassy Kapelos, Simon said "it was very embarrassing."
Speaking with Kapelos in the same room where Simon hosted Zelenskyy, the Governor General said that while she has yet to make any overtures, she is considering reaching out to Zelenskyy about the ordeal.
"Perhaps, yes. We're talking about it right now," Simon said.
On Friday, following Zelenskyy's address to the House of Commons, then-Speaker Anthony Rota recognized and led the chamber in a standing ovation for Hunka.
Controversy exploded over the weekend upon the revelation that the man Rota called a Canadian and Ukrainian "hero," actually fought in the volunteer Waffen-SS Galicia Division.
