Justin Trudeau Responds To The Canadian Parliament Honouring Nazi Veteran As “Clearly Unacceptable” and “Deeply Embarrassing” (image @ justinpjtrudeau)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday responded to the incident of Canadian Parliament honouring a Ukrainian Nazi veteran. Mr. Trudeau remarked the act as “deeply embarrassing”. He further added the act to be “clearly unacceptable”.
As per report, Mr. Trudeau said to media, “This is something that is deeply embarrassing to the Parliament of Canada and by extension to all Canadian”.
Earlier on Monday, the Canadian lawmakers gave a standing ovation to 98 year old Yaroslav Hunka as a war hero after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky”s address in the House of Commons. But later, it was made clear that Mr. Hunka had served for Hitler during World War II.
Mr. Hunka had served in 14th Waffen Grenadier Division, which is a Nazi division during the World War II. The Canadian Parliament gave him a standing ovation as “Ukrainian hero” and as “Canadian hero”.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota later apologised for this “massive” mistake committed by the Canadian Parliament. He said, “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”. He further added that he takes “full responsibility” of the initiative and conveyed his “deepest apologies” to Jewish communities.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs stated that they are “deeply troubled and disturbed” as the “Nazi veteran” was honoured with standing ovation in the Canadian Parliament.
We are deeply troubled & disturbed that a Ukrainian veteran of the infamous 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the Nazi SS – which actively participated in the genocide of Jews – was celebrated with a standing ovation in the Canadian Parliament.
#Canada's Jewish community stands…— CIJA (@CIJAinfo) September 24, 2023
Canada”s opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre slammed the interim Prime Minister by stating that “This is an appalling error in judgement on the part of Justin Trudeau”. He also demanded the Canadian Prime Minister to apologise directly instead of “passing the blame to others as he always does”
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).
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
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) September 24, 2023
He also said that Mr. Trudeau must be there on the Parliament and apologising directly rather than “hiding under the rock” and “throwing someone under the bus as he always does”.
Trudeau is in Ottawa today.
When will he answer for this disgraceful embarrassment to Canada? pic.twitter.com/jo82gL2Lw1
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) September 25, 2023
Earlier Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center stated that “an apology and explanation is owed” by the Canadian government.
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
The Canadian government garnered this “embarrassment” on itself while the row between India and Canada over the Mr. Trudeau”s comment on Indian officials hand in the murder of pro-Khalistan leader Hardedp Singh Najjar is still hot on the board.
With inputs from agencies.
