The Speaker of the House of Commons is apologizing for recognizing a person in the parliamentary gallery that he described on Friday as “a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero”.
This after the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre (FSWC) issued a statement saying it’s appalled that Canada’s Parliament gave a standing ovation to a Ukrainian veteran who served in a Nazi military unit during the Second World War.
“An apology is owed to every Holocaust survivor and veteran of the Second World War who fought the Nazis, and an explanation must be provided as to how this individual entered the hallowed halls of Canadian Parliament and received recognition from the Speaker of the House and a standing ovation,” reads the statement from FSWC.
In his statement, MP Anthony Rota says he extends his deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world.
“I accept full responsibility for my actions,” reads the statement.
The introduction came after Ukrainian President Volodemyr Zelensky addressed Parliament.
Rota’s statement also says that no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukraine delegation, was aware of his intention or of his remarks before he delivered them.
On September 22, in the House of Commons, I recognized an individual in the gallery. I regret my decision to do so, and accept full responsibility for my actions. Read my statement here: https://t.co/Hd9chtHFNJ
— Speaker of the HoC (@HoCSpeaker) September 24, 2023
FSWC is appalled that Canada’s Parliament gave a standing ovation to a Ukrainian veteran who served in a Nazi military unit during the Second World War implicated in the mass murder of Jews and others.
An apology and explanation is owed.https://t.co/ZkzIkOCvBe
— Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (@CanadianFSWC) September 24, 2023
