Canadian Parliament’s Tribute to Former Nazi Division Member Sparks Outrage and Apologies
What initially appeared to be a heartfelt tribute to a 98-year-old war veteran in Canada’s House of Commons took a disturbing turn when it was revealed that the honoree was a former member of a notorious Nazi unit. The incident has caused fury and apologies, raising concerns about historical awareness and sensitivity.
Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Ukrainian, found himself at the center of controversy when he received a standing ovation from Canadian lawmakers in the House of Commons. He was hailed as a “hero” during a speech by visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaker Anthony Rota praised Hunka for his wartime service, leading to an emotional moment in which the elderly veteran wiped away tears.
However, the seemingly touching tribute quickly unraveled as it became apparent that Yaroslav Hunka had been a member of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, a Nazi military unit notorious for its involvement in crimes against humanity during the Holocaust. This revelation sparked outrage and condemnation.
Canadian human rights group Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed deep disturbance over Hunka’s recognition and the standing ovation he received. They stated that it was “shocking” that a veteran associated with a Nazi military unit had been invited to Parliament. Hunka’s unit, also known as the First Ukrainian Division, was responsible for brutal mass murders of innocent civilians during World War II.
This unit’s leader, known by the nickname “Jimmy” as per the Ukrainian army’s request to protect identities, commands a company that typically consists of around 120 troops. He stepped into this role last year, a testament to the challenges faced as numerous officers have either been promoted or became casualties.
Another advocacy group, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, voiced deep concerns, and Michael Mostyn, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, labeled the incident “beyond outrageous.”
Speaker Anthony Rota, who had personally extended the invitation to Hunka, issued an apology after learning about his past. Rota assumed full responsibility for the oversight, implying that neither President Zelenskyy nor Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were aware of Hunka’s history. He extended his apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and worldwide.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who is of Jewish heritage and has a family history marked by the Holocaust, has not yet commented on the matter. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s office released a statement affirming Rota’s apology and emphasized that no advance notice had been provided to them regarding Hunka’s invitation or recognition.
Members of Parliament from various political parties, not just Trudeau’s Liberal Party, had joined in applauding Hunka. The Conservative party spokesperson stated that they were unaware of his history at the time.
Hunka himself could not be reached for comment at the time of the reports.
The incident has been seized upon by Russia, which has accused Ukraine of harboring far-right elements and sought to portray Ukraine as being led by neo-Nazis. Russian President Vladimir Putin has cited the need to “denazify” Ukraine as one of the justifications for his actions in the region.
This controversy underscores the sensitivity surrounding issues of Nazi collaboration and far-right ideology in Ukraine’s history. While Ukraine has some far-right elements, the nation’s complex historical context includes both collaboration with Nazi forces and resistance to them during World War II.
The Canadian government had previously investigated the presence of former Nazi soldiers in the country. The Deschênes Commission in 1985 found that claims of war crimes against the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division had not been substantiated.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of historical awareness and sensitivity, particularly in contexts as deeply complex and layered as the events of World War II and their repercussions in subsequent decades.
