| Anthony Rota resigned this Tuesday (26) after an invitation to Yaroslav Hunka (Photo: Patrick Doyle / POOL / AFP) |
The leader of the Canadian House of Commons, Anthony Rota, resigned today following an invitation extended to a veteran of a Nazi unit, present in Parliament during a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “No one in this House is above any of us. Therefore, I must resign as Speaker. This public recognition has caused pain to individuals and communities, including the Jewish community of Canada and around the world, as well as to the survivors of Nazism in Poland, among other nations. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Rota said.
Shortly after Zelensky’s speech in the House of Commons last Friday, Canadian MPs gave Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a standing ovation when Rota introduced him as a war hero who fought for the Ukrainian First Division during World War II. in the war alongside Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime.
All major opposition parties have called for his resignation and Government House Leader Karina Gould also said lawmakers had lost confidence in Rota. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also called for the resignation of the Speaker of the House. “It’s completely unacceptable. It’s a shame for the House and for Canadians and I think Rota should listen to the members of the House and leave office,” explained Joly, who has already discussed this episode with Kiev.
Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Studies Center also called for Rota’s resignation, saying the invitation to a former SS member leaves a stain on Canada’s venerable Assembly.
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