Speaker Anthony Rota faced strong criticism on Monday after introducing an SS member to the House of Commons as a "Canadian hero," with MPs calling it an international embarrassment..According to Blacklock’s Reporter, MPs expressed their shock that a 14 Waffen Grenadier Division member received special VIP treatment on Parliament Hill..“It’s shocking that Members of Parliament rose to give him an ovation,” said New Democrat MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, BC). .“Members did so because we took the Speaker’s word that this individual should indeed be granted this honour in good faith.”.“Members of Parliament feel betrayed right now,” said Julian. .“Ultimately, this was an unforgivable error which puts the entire House in disrepute.”.“Unfortunately, I believe a sacred trust has been broken,” Julian told Speaker Rota. .“It’s for that reason, for the good of the institution of the House of Commons, I say sadly, I don’t believe you can continue in this role. Regrettably, I must respectfully ask that you step aside.”.Bloc Québécois MPs also called for Rota's resignation following his tribute on Friday to a constituent Yaroslav Hunka, 98, of North Bay, ON. During the tribute, the Speaker introduced Hunka to the Commons as a Canadian patriot..“We have here in the chamber today a Ukrainian-Canadian war veteran from the Second World War who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians and continues to support the troops today even at his age of 98,” said Rota. .“His name is Yaroslav Hunka.”.“I am very proud to say he is from North Bay and from my riding of Nipissing-Temiskaming,” said Rota. .“He is a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service. Thank you.”.Records indicated that Hunka had been a member of the Galicia Division of Ukrainian volunteers, which served alongside Germany on the Eastern front during World War II. The 1946 Nuremberg Tribunal identified the Galicia Division as a criminal organization involved in mass murder.. Hunka Tribute .“There was a Nazi in the chamber,” said Opposition House Leader Andrew Scheer. .“It would have taken a simple Google search to find a blog post written by that individual saying he served in an SS Division, in a Nazi Division, during World War Two.”.The tribute was “deeply hurtful” to victims’ families, according to Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk (Windsor-Tecumseh, ON)..“This was a particularly cruel, exceptionally cruel unit that murdered thousands of Jews, thousands of Poles in Eastern Poland, viciously murdering Poles and Jews,” said Kusmierczyk..A 1986 Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals noted that the cabinet in 1950 issued an executive order that Ukrainian prisoners of war “be admitted to Canada notwithstanding their service in the German army.” .The Commission report concluded that membership in the Galicia Division alone was insufficient to warrant prosecution, as it was ruled “insufficient to justify prosecution” without additional war crimes evidence..Government House leader Karina Gould stated that MPs “were all caught off guard” by the incident..“I think this hurt all of us in Parliament,” said Gould. .“I will say that personally, I felt particularly hurt by this.”.“This unfortunate situation has been deeply embarrassing for Canada’s Parliament,” said Gould. .“I think it has been deeply embarrassing for Canada.”.Speaker Rota apologized. .“My intention was to show that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is not a new one, that Ukrainians have unfortunately been subject to foreign aggression for far too long,” said Rota..“I wish to apologize to the House. I am deeply sorry that I have offended many with my gesture and remarks.”.“I don’t think I have ever been through a tougher time in this House since I got here in 2004,” said Rota. .“It may not be good enough for some of you, and for that, I apologize.”
