House Speaker Anthony Rota apologizes after inviting man who fought for Nazis to Parliament
CTV
Several Jewish advocacy organizations condemned members of Parliament on Sunday for giving a standing ovation to a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Several Jewish advocacy organizations condemned members of Parliament on Sunday for giving a standing ovation to a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Ottawa on Friday, MPs honoured 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for the First Ukrainian Division, in the House of Commons.
Hunka was invited by Speaker Anthony Rota, who introduced him.
"I am very proud to say that he is from North Bay and from my riding of Nipissing--Timiskaming," the Ontario MP said.
"He is a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service."
MPs cheered and Zelenskyy raised his fist in acknowledgement as Hunka saluted from the gallery during two separate standing ovations.
The First Ukrainian Division was 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.
