Anthony Rota resigns as House Speaker over tribute to veteran of Nazi unit

globalnews.ca:

Anthony Rota has resigned amid international controversy over his recognition of a Ukrainian war veteran who fought in a Nazi unit.Rota announced his resignation in the House of Commons Tuesday afternoon. His resignation takes effect at the end of the sitting day Wednesday, he added.Senior Liberals, the NDP, the Bloc Québécois and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre all urged Rota to resign after he brought 98-year-old Ukrainian Canadian Yaroslav Hunka to Parliament Hill for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Ottawa on Sept.

22.“I must step down as your Speaker. I reiterate my profound regret for my error in recognizing an individual in the House,” Rota said.“That public recognition has caused pain to individuals and communities, including the Jewish community in Canada and around the world, in addition to survivors of Nazi atrocities in Poland, among other nations.

I accept full responsibility for my actions.”Hunka fought for Nazi Germany as a member of the First Ukrainian Division, also known as the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, during the Second World War.The “hero,” as Rota described him last Friday, received two separate standing ovations in the House of Commons.Rota apologized twice — first on Sunday when Hunka’s background emerged, and again on Monday. He said he had no knowledge of his history, and expressed regret for his decision.Despite calls for an apology by prominent Jewish organizations, opposition MPs said it wasn’t enough and demanded his resignation from the role.NDP MP Peter Julian, who was the first MP to call for Rota’s resignation Monday, told reporters Tuesday that Rota’s resignation was the right move.“It’s not a happy day for us.