Introduction

Parliament speaker Anthony Rota announced his resignation for inviting a Nazi-linked World War II war veteran to Canada’s House of Commons to attend a speech by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A Controversial Standing Ovation

Just after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy delivered an address in the House of Commons on Friday, Canadian lawmakers gave 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka a standing ovation when Speaker Anthony Rota drew attention to him. Rota introduced Hunka as a war hero who fought for the First Ukrainian Division.

Controversy Surrounding the First Ukrainian Division

Observers over the weekend began to publicize the fact that 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.

Speaker Rota’s Resignation

“No one in this House is above any of us. Therefore I must step down as your speaker,” Rota said in Parliament. “I reiterate my profound regret for my error in recognizing an individual in the House during the joint address to Parliament of President Zelenskyy.

Government and Opposition Reactions

Rota stepped down after meeting with the House of Commons’ party leaders later Tuesday. All main opposition parties called for Rota to step down, and government House leader Karina Gould said that lawmakers had lost confidence in Rota.

Impact and Apologies

Gould said she is of Jewish origin and a descendant of a Holocaust survivor. “This incident hurt me personally as it hurt all members of this House and all Canadians,” she said. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies said in a statement that the incident “has left a stain on our country’s venerable legislature with profound implications both in Canada and globally.”

Unintended Consequences

The incident has also caused great pain to Canada’s Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans, and other victims of the Nazi regime. In an earlier apology on Sunday, Rota said he alone was responsible for inviting and recognizing Hunka, who is from the district that Rota represents.

Questions of Responsibility

The prime minister’s office said it was unaware that Hunka was invited until after the address. The speaker’s office also confirmed it did not share its invite list with any other party or group. The vetting process for visitors to the gallery is for physical security threats, not reputational threats, the speaker’s office said.

International Reactions

In Moscow, a Kremlin spokesman said it was “outrageous” that Hunka received a standing ovation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has painted his enemies in Ukraine as “neo-Nazis,” although Zelenskyy is Jewish and lost relatives in the Holocaust.

Conclusion

The incident has sparked controversy and criticism, with some blaming Prime Minister Trudeau for the incident. However, the speaker’s role in Canada is as an officer of Parliament who does not participate in partisan caucus meetings and is not a member of the Cabinet.