Canada House Speaker resigns after celebrating Ukrainian veteran who fought for Nazi unit in World W

Source: CNN

Canada House Speaker resigns after celebrating Ukrainian veteran who fought for Nazi unit in World War II

By Paula Newton, CNN
Updated 4:01 PM EDT, Tue September 26, 2023

Ottawa (CNN) — Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons Anthony Rota resigned his post Tuesday, days after he praised a Ukrainian veteran who fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II.

On Friday, following a joint address to parliament by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Rota lauded Yaroslav Hunka, 98, as a Ukrainian-Canadian war hero who “fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russian aggressors then, and continues to support the troops today.”

But in the days since, human rights and Jewish organizations have condemned Rota’s recognition, saying Hunka served in a Nazi military unit known as the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS.

“This house is above any of us, therefore I must step down as your speaker,” Rota said in parliament Tuesday afternoon, reiterating his “profound regret for my error.”

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Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/26/americas/canada-house-speaker-anthony-rota-tuesday/index.html