Anthony Rota resigns as Canada’s house speaker after inviting Nazi war criminal Yaroslav Hunka to appear before lawmakers who applauded him

The Speaker of Canada’s House of Commons has fallen from grace after inviting a Nazi veteran to Parliament last week, whom he praised as a “hero.”

Anthony Rota announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as chairman after welcoming Yaroslav Hunka, 98, to the meeting room next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Hunka, who served in the Nazi regime’s infamous SS division, often referred to as ‘Hitler’s bodyguards’, received a standing ovation in parliament. He appeared as Zelenskyy implored Canadian lawmakers to strengthen his opposition to the Russian invasion, which extends into the winter months.

But Hunka’s past only came to light after Canadian leaders showered praise and took photos with the Nazis, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called “very embarrassing.”

Rota apologized for the scandal on Sunday and said he only became aware of Hunka’s history after the appearance. He said he wanted to “offer my deepest apologies to the Jewish communities in Canada and around the world.”

Four days after the unfortunate moment, Rota resigned after a meeting with the House of Commons party leadership, saying: ‘No one in this House is above us. Therefore, I must resign as your speaker.”

Elaborating on his resignation speech delivered to Parliament on Tuesday, Rota said: “I reiterate my deep regret for my mistake in recognizing an individual in the House of Representatives during President Zelenskiy’s joint address to Parliament.

“That public recognition has caused pain for individuals and communities, including the Jewish community in Canada and around the world, in addition to Nazi survivors in Poland and elsewhere. I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Rota’s decision to resign came after a meeting that also included House Majority Leader Karina Gould, who said lawmakers had lost confidence in Rota after the scandal.

But Gould herself came under fire for the humiliating trip, after she posed for a smiling photo with Hunka in the halls of parliament.

She later claimed that she was unaware of Hunka’s past before the photo was taken and blamed Rota. say on X: ‘Like all MPs, I had no further information than the chairman.

‘When I left the Chamber, I walked past the person and took a photo. “As a descendant of Jewish Holocaust survivors, I would like to ask all parliamentarians to stop politicizing an issue that concerns many, including myself,” she added.

After Rota’s resignation, Gould said, “This is something that has brought shame and embarrassment to the entire parliament and indeed to all Canadians.” The speaker did the honorable thing to resign.”

Rota has acknowledged that he invited Hunka without informing the government or Zelenskyy’s delegation. His office also noted that the vetting process for invitees to the room focuses on security threats, not reputational damage.

Hunka’s troubling history was only revealed after his appearance in Canada’s parliament on Friday, where he appeared next to Zelenskyy as the Ukrainian president delivered an impassioned speech about his country’s war as it stretches into the winter.

But while Zelenskyy’s speech was widely praised, people were shocked to discover Hunka’s time in the SS – one of the most feared units in the Nazi arsenal often described as “Hitler’s personal bodyguards.”

According to the Holocaust Encyclopedia‘the SS would later become both the Nazi Empire’s elite guard and Hitler’s executive branch, prepared to carry out all security-related tasks without regard to legal restrictions.’

After the appearance sparked widespread backlash, including from prominent Jewish groups, Trudeau sought an answer for three days before appearing to blame “Russian propaganda” in his apology on Monday.

Trudeau told reporters the day before Rota resigned that the incident was “very embarrassing.”

Trudeau admitted the appearance was a “mistake,” saying, “It’s obviously extremely disturbing that this has happened.”

While the prime minister said Rota had “acknowledged” the embarrassing moment, Trudeau condemned his oversight, saying it was “embarrassing to the Parliament of Canada and by extension to all Canadians.”

He also appeared to try to use the moment to rail against anti-Semitism and call for a “backlash against Russian propaganda.”

He added that Canada would “continue our steadfast and unequivocal support for Ukraine, as we did last week with the announcement of further measures to support Ukraine in Russia’s illegal war against it.”

His move to the Russian war machine came just seconds after he apologized for the ovation, admitting it was especially insulting to “Jewish parliamentarians and all members of the Jewish community across the country who celebrate Yom – today commemorates Yom Kippur.” ‘

The incident sparked a wave of condemnation from Jewish groups in particular, who were left stunned when a former Nazi was not only invited to the Canadian parliament but also received a standing ovation.

“(The incident) has left a stain on our country’s venerable legislature, with profound consequences both in Canada and worldwide,” the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies said.

“This incident has endangered all 338 parliamentarians and also handed Russia a propaganda victory, distracting from what was a momentous show of unity between Canada and Ukraine.

“It has also caused great pain for Canada’s Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and other victims of the Nazi regime.”

The group also called for an apology to “every Holocaust survivor and veteran of World War II who fought against the Nazis,” which was echoed by the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which said it was “deeply disturbed” by the incident.

The CIJA leadership noted Trudeau’s reference to “Russian propaganda” in its rebuke, adding: “Canada’s Jewish community stands firmly with Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression… But we cannot remain silent in the face of crimes committed are whitewashed by Ukrainians during the Holocaust.’