Ottawa – In a significant turn of events, Anthony Rota, the Speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, has announced his resignation following a public outcry over his commendation of a former Nazi soldier during a parliamentary session. Rota expressed his regret for inviting Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old ex-soldier with ties to Adolf Hitler’s Waffen SS units in World War Two, to attend an event honoring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Rota’s public recognition of Hunka as a hero triggered outrage, and it is widely seen as contributing to Russia’s narrative justifying its actions in Ukraine.
Rota acknowledged the pain caused to various communities, including the Jewish community in Canada and worldwide, stating, “I accept full responsibility for my actions.” He confirmed that his resignation would take effect on Wednesday, during which time a deputy speaker will assume duties.
This controversy has played into Russian President Vladimir Putin’s assertion that Russia’s intervention in Ukraine aimed to “demilitarize and denazify” the country, a claim strongly denied by Kyiv and Western allies.
The incident marred President Zelenskiy’s visit, during which he expressed gratitude to Canada for its substantial aid and military support since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had both called for Rota’s resignation earlier, while opposition parties placed blame on the Liberal government for the mishap. Notably, Hunka resides in Rota’s parliamentary constituency.
This development underscores the sensitivity surrounding historical associations and their impact on contemporary international relations.
By Reuters
