Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

NDP House leader says Speaker should resign after honouring man who fought for Nazis

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Sep, 2023 10:09 AM
  • NDP House leader says Speaker should resign after honouring man who fought for Nazis

NDP House leader Peter Julian is calling on House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to step down after he invited a man who fought for the Nazis to attend a speech by the Ukrainian president.

Rota issued a written apology Sunday and repeated it in the House Monday morning. He said he alone was responsible for inviting and recognizing Yaroslav Hunka last Friday, who fought for the First Ukrainian Division during the Second World War.

"I am deeply sorry that I have offended many with my gesture and remarks," said Rota.

"No one — not even anyone among you, fellow parliamentarians, or from the Ukrainian delegation — was privy to my intention or my remarks prior to their delivery."

Rota's recognition of Hunka was met Friday with a standing ovation from MPs.

On Monday morning, government House leader Karina Gould said his decision to invite the man was "deeply embarrassing" and called on MPs to work together to strike the recognition from the record.

She said that as a Canadian of Jewish origin and a descendent of Holocaust survivors, she felt "particularly hurt" by the situation.

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."

Julian told the House that Rota's was an "unforgivable" error that brought disrepute to the House of Commons. 

"Unfortunately, I believe a sacred trust has been broken," he told the Speaker. "It’s for that reason, for the good of the institution of the House of Commons, that I say sadly I don’t believe you can continue in this role. Regrettably, I must respectfully ask that you step aside."

Gould repeatedly asserted on Monday that neither the government of Canada nor the Ukrainian delegation had any knowledge that the 98-year-old Hunka had been invited to attend an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

But Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer is still placing the blame with the Prime Minister's Office, saying the government had a responsibility to vet attendees of such a high-profile event for security reasons. 

He noted a "straightforward Google search" would have shown the division in which Hunka served during the war.

"If that basic level of vetting is not done by the government, that raises serious concerns. What kind of message does that send to our allies all over the world?"

MORE National ARTICLES

Feds to consider caps on int'l study permits as housing crisis grows: Fraser

Feds to consider caps on int'l study permits as housing crisis grows: Fraser
Canada is looking to crack down on unscrupulous schools that are cashing in on the big bucks of international student tuition fees without putting any thought into where those students are going to live, Housing Minister Sean Fraser said Monday.

Feds to consider caps on int'l study permits as housing crisis grows: Fraser

Two charged in Nanaimo arson

Two charged in Nanaimo arson
Two men are facing charges after a fire in downtown Nanaimo. R-C-M-P say it happened on Saturday night when a patrol officer saw smoke and flames coming from a commercial building.

Two charged in Nanaimo arson

B.C.'s premier urges Meta to allow news sharing in B.C. amid wildfire crisis

B.C.'s premier urges Meta to allow news sharing in B.C. amid wildfire crisis
Eby is imploring the company and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, to open up access to critical information that could keep residents safe as the province grapples with devastating wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes. 

B.C.'s premier urges Meta to allow news sharing in B.C. amid wildfire crisis

At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna, B.C., fire chief confirms

At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna, B.C., fire chief confirms
Early estimates suggest wildfires burning on both sides of British Columbia's Okanagan Lake have destroyed almost 60 structures in Kelowna area, officials said Monday. Fire chiefs from West Kelowna, Kelowna, and Lake Country said homes have been destroyed in their communities, with West Kelowna sustaining the most losses and higher numbers still expected. 

At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna, B.C., fire chief confirms

Translink boosting bus service as of September

Translink boosting bus service as of September
Metro Vancouver’s transit authority is boosting bus services this fall as students return to schools across the region. TransLink says it will increase service levels on 22 bus routes starting on September 4, in addition to introducing a new extension for route 44 directly linking West Vancouver and U-B-C.  

Translink boosting bus service as of September

Arrest in Seawall assaults

Arrest in Seawall assaults
Police in Vancouver says a man has been arrested for assaulting people on the city's seawall this weekend.  The department says on social media that officers responded to reports of the attacks Saturday.

Arrest in Seawall assaults