Speaker of the House of Commons Resigns Following Outcry Over Invitation of WWII Veteran with Nazi Ties

Canadian lawmakers were left in shock on Tuesday after Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota resigned following an outcry over his invitation of a World War II veteran to attend a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The 98-year-old veteran, Yaroslav Hunka, was given a standing ovation by Canadian lawmakers when Rota drew attention to him during the address on Friday. However, over the weekend, it was revealed that Hunka had fought for the Nazi military unit known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, or the SS 14th.

Rota had introduced Hunka as a war hero who fought for the First Ukrainian Division, and the invitation was seen as a sign of respect for the veteran’s service. However, the revelation of his Nazi ties sparked outrage from members of the public and the Canadian government.

In a statement, Rota apologized for his “lapse in judgment” and said he was resigning to “protect the dignity of the House of Commons.” He added that he was “deeply sorry for the pain and suffering this has caused.”

The incident has sparked a debate in Canada over the proper way to recognize veterans of World War II, and the need to ensure that those with Nazi ties are not honored. It has also raised questions about the vetting process for guests invited to the House of Commons.