After his country’s parliament gave a World War II Ukrainian veteran an ovation, only to learn later that he was part of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, the military wing of the Nazi Party, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent time focusing on “Russian propaganda” and “Russian disinformation.”
The ovation for Yaroslav Hunka came during a session in which President Volodomyr Zelensky of Ukraine addressed the Canadian Parliament to thank Canada for its support. The speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, then recognized 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who fought the Russians in World War II. Hunka was a member of the First Ukrainian Division in World War II, which was also known as he 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, aka SS Galichina,
“Division members are accused of killing Polish and Jewish civilians, although the unit has not been found guilty of any war crimes by a tribunal,” the BBC reported.
Fact-Check Fails – Memo to Ukrainian President Zelinskyy and Canada’s Parliament and Prime Minister: If you don’t want people thinking you’re anti-Semites, do a background check to make sure you’re not giving a standing ovation to a former Nazi soldier.https://t.co/mTqeoPtk4k
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) September 25, 2023
Rota later apologized, saying, “In my remarks following the address of the president of Ukraine, I recognized an individual in the gallery. I have subsequently become aware of more information which causes me to regret my decision to do so. … No one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukraine delegation, was aware of my intention or of my remarks before I delivered them. This initiative was entirely my own, the individual in question being from my riding [district] and having been brought to my attention.”
“I particularly want to extend my deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he added.
“Obviously it’s extremely upsetting that this happened,” Trudeau commented. “The speaker has acknowledged his mistake and has apologized. This is something that is deeply embarrassing to the Parliament of Canada and by extension to all Canadians, I think particularly of Jewish MPs and all members of the Jewish community across the country, celebrating, commemorating Yom Kippur today.”
“I think it’s going to be really important that all of us push back against Russian propaganda, Russian disinformation and continue our steadfast and unequivocal support for Ukraine as we did last week with announcing further measures to stand with Ukraine in Russia’s illegal war against it,” he declared.
Speaking for the first time since a Ukrainian Nazi Veteran was appalled during the Zelensky speech, Justin Trudeau says “this is deeply embarrassing to the Parliament of Canada and by extension to all Canadians,” adding it is “extremely upsetting that this happened” #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/6YfkGw74D5
— Mackenzie Gray (@Gray_Mackenzie) September 25, 2023
“If the prime minister is so proud of how he conducted himself; he would be on the floor in the House of Commons today answering questions instead of hiding under a rock,” opposition leader Pierre Poilievre told parliament, then turned to Rota, saying, “Mr. Speaker, Canadians are sick and tired of a prime minister who never takes responsibility for things that happen under his watch, whether it’s the record high inflation or interest rates or the doubling of housing costs or the constant international embarrassments, he always finds someone else to throw under the bus. Are you that person?”
Pierre Poilievre rips Trudeau after a Nazi was honored in the House of Commons:
"Canadians are sick and tired of a Prime Minister who never takes responsibility for things that happen under his watch." pic.twitter.com/H5h6HNKKGW
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 25, 2023