PM Trudeau apologizes for Parliament's recognition of Nazi veteran during Zelenskyy visit
CTV
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is offering 'unreserved apologies' for Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is offering "unreserved apologies" for Parliament's recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
"The Speaker was solely responsible for the invitation and recognition of this man, and has wholly accepted that responsibility and stepped down,” Trudeau told reporters on his way into question period.
“This was a mistake that has deeply embarrassed Parliament, and Canada. All of us who were in this House on Friday regret deeply having stood and clapped even though we did so, unaware of the context," Trudeau said before entering the House of Commons to answer for the situation for the first time since the controversy exploded.
Anthony Rota resigned from the House Speaker position Tuesday, the result of all-party pressure for him to do so after he invited 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran Yaroslav Hunka who fought in a volunteer unit under Nazi command to Parliament.
The recognition happened during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address last Friday and has led to international embarrassment for the Canadian government.
"It was a horrendous violation of the memory of the millions of people who died in the Holocaust. It was deeply, deeply painful for Jewish people…. and the many millions who were targeted by the Nazi genocide," Trudeau said.
"Every year, there are fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors to share firsthand the horrors of what they experienced. And it is therefore incumbent upon us all to ensure that no one ever forgets what happened.
