Just days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invited a Nazi soldier to his Parliament, where he was given a standing ovation, he appeared to blame “Russian propaganda” and “Russian disinformation” while issuing an apology on the incident on Monday.
The Daily Fetched reported on this story on Monday:
Canada’s Speaker of the House of Commons issued an apology after he asked the Parliament to give a standing ovation last week to a 98-year-old Nazi Waffen-SS soldier.
Anthony Rota asked the Parliament to give a standing ovation while in the presence of the visiting Ukrainian President Zelensky.
Canada’s house Speaker issued the apology Sunday, claiming his decision to honor Nazi Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian who fought with the 14th “Galicia” division of the Waffen-SS in the Second World War, was down to him.
“I wish to make clear that no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukraine delegation, was aware of my intention or of my remarks before I delivered them,” Rota said.
“This initiative was entirely my own, the individual in question being from my riding and having been brought to my attention,” he added.
Several human rights and Jewish organizations condemned the recognition, saying Hunka served in a Nazi military.
“Hunka, who immigrated to Canada after serving in the 14th Waffen SS – a Nazi unit whose members swore allegiance to Adolf Hitler during WWII – received a standing ovation from members of Parliament and senators in attendance,” Jewish human rights organization B’nai Brith Canada said in a statement.
Zelensky punched the air while standing next to Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau as the chamber gave a resounding applause.
Watch
Canadian Parliament and Zelensky give a standing ovation to Yaroslav Hunka, who fought for the 14th division of the Waffen SS pic.twitter.com/7WrD3vchZ8
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 24, 2023
Trudeau was later asked about the “Nazi” situation that took place in Parliament by reporters.
“Obviously it’s extremely upsetting that this happened,” he said, before blaming the Speaker of the House, noting “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,” Trudeau added.
The Canadian PM then pivoted to Russia.
“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.”
Wow!
Watch
Trudeau after getting busted honoring a Nazi:
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) September 25, 2023
“I think it’s going to be really important that all of us push back against Russian propaganda, Russian disinformation…”
pic.twitter.com/sgGJHaQh0F
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre told Parliament that “Canadians are sick and tired of a prime minister who never takes responsibility for things that happen under his watch.”
He added that “he always finds someone else to throw under the bus” and asked the Speaker of the House, “Are you that person?”
Watch
Pierre Poilievre rips Trudeau after a Nazi was honored in the House of Commons:
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) September 25, 2023
"Canadians are sick and tired of a Prime Minister who never takes responsibility for things that happen under his watch." pic.twitter.com/H5h6HNKKGW
Poilievre demanded that Trudeau personally apologize for the incident, describing it as “an appalling error in judgment on the part of Justin Trudeau, whose personal protocol office is responsible for arranging and vetting all guests and programming for state visits of this kind.”
“It was impossible for any parliamentarian in the room (other than Mr. Trudeau) to know of this dark past,” Poilievre added of the SS veteran.
It has come out today that Justin Trudeau personally met with and honoured a veteran of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (a Nazi division).
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) September 24, 2023
Liberals then arranged for this Nazi veteran to be recognized on the floor of the House of Commons during the visit of the… https://t.co/9JFUEqsdW8
Comedian Rob Schneider slammed Trudeau, announcing he had canceled his upcoming dates in Canada in protest:
I just canceled my trip to Canada.
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) September 25, 2023
I just can’t…
It’s beyond the pale.
Trudeau’s tyranny against peaceful trucker protesters seems insignificant to this despicable and outrageous act of honoring of one of ADOLF HITLER’S NAZI SS Soldiers by the Canadian Parliament.
No words… https://t.co/ZEVwZjOPse
READ: Justin Trudeau Announces $650 Million More in Military Aid to Ukraine
