Canadian MP’s give standing ovation to prominent Nazi during Zelensky visit to Ottawa
SEP 25, 20231:00 PM
BY CHRISTINE DOUGLASS-WILLIAMS
22 COMMENTS
A Nazi, introduced as a “war hero” who fought during World War II against the Soviet Union for the First Ukrainian Division, was honored in Canada’s House of Commons during Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Parliament. Yaroslav Hunka was given a big round of applause by Canada’s MP’s. The Associated Press reportedthat “Zelenskyy raised his fist in acknowledgement as Hunka saluted from the gallery during two separate standing ovations.”
“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.”
The embarrassment which has come to characterize Canada under Trudeau led to mockery:
According to Fox News, the “Speaker of the House has apologized and accepted full responsibility for issuing the invitation and for the recognition in Parliament.”
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre held Trudeau accountable for the fiasco, stating:
This is an appalling error in judgement on the part of Justin Trudeau, whose personal protocol office is responsible for arranging and vetting all guests and programming for state visits of this kind. No parliamentarians (other than Justin Trudeau) had the opportunity to vet this individual’s past before he was introduced and honoured on the floor of the House of Commons. Without warning or context, it was impossible for any parliamentarian in the room (other than Mr. Trudeau) to know of this dark past.
Now Jewish groups are demanding an apology.
“Jewish group demands apology after MPs honoured man who fought for Nazis,” by Sarah Ritchie, The Star, September 24, 2023:
OTTAWA – Several Jewish advocacy organizations condemned members of Parliament on Sunday for giving a standing ovation to a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Ottawa on Friday, MPs honoured 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for the First Ukrainian Division, in the House of Commons.
Hunka was invited by Speaker Anthony Rota, who introduced him.
“I am very proud to say that he is from North Bay and from my riding of Nipissing—Timiskaming,” the Ontario MP said.
“He is a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service.”
MPs cheered and Zelenskyy raised his fist in acknowledgement as Hunka saluted from the gallery during two separate standing ovations.
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.
The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies issued a statement Sunday saying the division “was responsible for the mass murder of innocent civilians with a level of brutality and malice that is unimaginable.”…. |
