Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota has stepped down after honouring Ukrainian Nazi veteran Yaroslav Hunka on Friday. .“It has been my greatest honour as a parliamentarian to have been elected by you, my peers, to serve as the speaker of the House of Commons for the 43rd and 44th Parliament,” said Rota in a Tuesday speech. .“I have acted as your humble servant of this house, carrying out the responsibilities of this position to the best of my abilities.” .Since the House of Commons is above him, he said he must step down. He apologized for recognizing Hunka while he attended the House of Commons. .With this recognition, he said it “has caused pain to individuals and communities, including the Jewish community in Canada and around the world in addition to Nazi survivors in Poland among other nations.” He accepted full responsibility for his actions. .His resignation takes effect at the end of the sitting day on Wednesday to allow preparations for election of a new speaker of the house. .“Until that time, the deputy speakers will chair the house proceedings,” he said. .Rota said on Sunday he made a mistake by honouring Hunka in the gallery..READ MORE: UPDATED: House of Commons speaker apologizes for bringing Nazi to Zelensky speech .“I have subsequently become aware of more information which causes me to regret my decision to do so,” he said. .“I wish to make clear that no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukraine delegation, was aware of my intention or my remarks before I delivered them.”.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday it is upsetting Hunka was invited to the House of Commons. .READ MORE: WATCH: Trudeau says Ukrainian Nazi incident embarrassing, blasts Russian disinformation.“The speaker has acknowledged his mistake and has apologized,” said Trudeau. .“But this is something that is deeply embarrassing to the Parliament of Canada and by extension to all Canadians.”
