Justin Trudeau calls praise for Nazi-linked veteran ‘deeply embarrassing’
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said an invitation to parliament extended to a Ukrainian man who fought for a Nazi unit in WW2, is “deeply embarrassing” to the country.
Yaroslav Hunka, 98, got a standing ovation after House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota called him a “hero” during a Friday visit by Ukraine’s president.
Rota has said he did not know of Hunka’s Nazi ties and made a mistake in inviting him to the event.
Many are calling on him to resign from his role as Commons Speaker.
The prime minister told reporters on Monday that it was “extremely upsetting that this happened”.
“This is something that is deeply embarrassing to the parliament of Canada and by extension to all Canadians.”
Parliament was hosting an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Hunka was sitting in the House of Commons gallery when the Speaker pointed to him, saying the man was “a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service”.