Nazi veteran Hunka was invited to Zelenskyy reception: PMO
CTV
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office has confirmed, months after acrimony first arose over his House of Commons recognition, that Yaroslav Hunka—a veteran who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War—was also invited to a Toronto reception for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office has confirmed, months after acrimony first arose over his House of Commons recognition, that Yaroslav Hunka — a veteran who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War — was also invited to a Toronto reception for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The event was part of Zelenskyy's official visit itinerary, and occurred in the evening after his address to Parliament, where Hunka was recognized by then-House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota and applauded by those present.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) told CTV News Monday that of the more than 1,000 people invited to the Toronto event with the president, hundreds were asked to attend on the recommendation of community groups.
"The individual in question's name was submitted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. The individual did not attend," said PMO spokesperson Mohammad Hussain in an emailed statement.
CTV News has reached out to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for comment.
PMO's confirmation comes amid reporting that the invitation to the event at the Fort York Armoury was sent to Hunka from the Office of Protocol of Canada. Specifically, according to The Globe and Mail, with the subject line "Invitation from the Prime Minister of Canada – September 22, 2023." CTV News has not independently verified the wording of the invitation.
"The prime minister had no knowledge of this individual before the independent recognition by the former Speaker of the House of Commons," Hussain said.
