Speaker of Canadian Parliament Resigns After Controversial Recognition

The Speaker of the Canadian Parliament, Anthony Rota, has announced his resignation after facing backlash for recognizing a Second World War veteran with alleged ties to Nazism. The incident occurred during a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the House of Commons.

Standing Ovation for War Hero

Following President Zelensky’s speech, Canadian lawmakers gave a standing ovation to 98-year-old war veteran Jaroslav Honka. Speaker Anthony Rota introduced Honka as a hero who fought for the 1st Ukrainian Division.

Controversy Surrounding the Recognition

Over the weekend, it was revealed that the 1st Ukrainian Division, also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia or the 14th Waffen-SS Division of the SS, was a volunteer unit under the command of the Nazis. This revelation led to widespread criticism and calls for Speaker Rota’s resignation.

Speaker’s Apology and Resignation

Speaker Rota acknowledged his mistake and expressed deep regret for recognizing Honka. He accepted full responsibility for his actions and announced his resignation after a meeting with the board of the Public party Leaders.

Impact and Reaction

The incident has caused pain and embarrassment for Parliament and Canadians as a whole. Opposition parties and government House Leader Karina Gould called for Rota’s resignation, stating that lawmakers had lost confidence in him. Gould, who is of Jewish origin and a descendant of a Holocaust survivor, personally felt hurt by the incident.

Critical Consequences

The incident not only tarnished Canada’s legislative authority but also provided Russia with a propaganda victory. It distracted from the crucial display of unity between Canada and Ukraine and caused great pain to Canada’s Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans, and other victims of the Nazi regime.

Speaker’s Apology and Explanation

In a previous apology, Speaker Rota claimed sole responsibility for inviting and recognizing Honka without informing the government or the Ukrainian delegation. He explained that it was his son who contacted Honka’s office to inquire about attending Zelensky’s speech.

Unawareness and Criticism

Both the Prime Minister’s office and the Speaker’s office claimed they were unaware of Honka’s invitation until after the address. The Speaker’s office confirmed that they did not share their guest list with any political party or group. The screening process for visitors focuses on physical security threats rather than reputational threats.

International Response

In Moscow, a Kremlin spokesman denounced the standing ovation given to Honka as “outrageous.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously labeled Ukraine’s enemies as “neo-Nazis,” despite President Zelensky being Jewish and having no relatives in the Holocaust.

Political Fallout

While some blame Prime Minister Trudeau for the incident, others argue that the Speaker, as an officer of Parliament who does not participate in caucus meetings and is not a member of the Council of Ministers, played a significant role in this matter.