Who is Yaroslav Hunka? Canada faces massive backlash for hailing Nazi veteran as 'hero'

The Canadian House of  Commons stirred a major storm after it honoured and gave a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran. On Friday, 98-year-old Yaroslav Hanuka received a standing ovation from Canadian lawmakers during the visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mayhem broke out days after it was found out that Hanuka fought for a Nazi military unit during World War II. While many Jewish groups and opposition leaders condemned the act, some even went on to claim that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has made Canada a nesting place for “Neo-Nazi”. 

Just after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy delivered an address to the Canadian parliament on Friday, the lawmakers gave a standing ovation to Hanuka. The Canadian Speaker of the House Anthony Rota stated that Hunka was a "war hero" who fought for the First Ukrainian Division. “He’s a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and we thank him for all his service. Thank you,” the Canadian speaker said introducing the General. With raised fists and cheers surrounding the Canadian parliament, Hanuka passed a salute from the gallery to express his gratitude. However, there was more to the story which eventually led to the chaos. 

I still can't believe the entire Canadian parliament gave a standing ovation to a literal Nazi SS officer who fought against the army that liberated Auschwitz, and Canada itself. But it's true. They actually did. And no one will face any consequences. In fact they'll do it again pic.twitter.com/Rxx1pUWglg

— ☀️👀 (@zei_squirrel)

Who is Yaroslav Hunka? 

Born in 1925, Ukrainian general was a veteran of the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Galician), a Nazi Germany military formation. As per the records, Hanuka -- who was born in the Ukrainian city of Urman -- immigrated to Canada after the end of the catastrophic World War 2.  According to CBC News, in 1994, Hunka was deployed into combat against Red Army forces on the Eastern Front of World War II. After arriving in Canada, he actively took part in the Ukrainian-Canadian community. However, he remained active in the Waffen SS veterans circles. 

Trudeau administration receives backlash 

Following the incident, the Trudeau administration received heavy criticism from Canadian opposition leaders and Jewish groups from around the world. The Canadian Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, lambasted the Trudeau administration for honouring the army general. “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 Ukrainian President,” Poilievre wrote on X. “No parliamentarians (other than Justin Trudeau) had the opportunity to vet this individual’s past before he was introduced and honoured on the floor of the House of Commons. Without warning or context, it was impossible for any parliamentarian in the room (other than Mr Trudeau) to know of this dark past,” he added. 

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)

Not only this, Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov bashed the Trudeau administration stating that Canada has become a “nesting place” for neo-Nazis. "The embassy will take appropriate official steps. We will, of course, demand clarification from the Canadian government," the Russian diplomat told Sputnik on Monday.

House Speaker apologises by Trudeau remains clear

Amid the chaos, Canadian Speaker of the House Anthony Rota released a statement on Sunday insisting that none of the members of the parliament were aware of Hanuka’s credentials. “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,” Rota wrote in a statement. “This initiative was entirely my own, I particularly want to extend my deepest apologies to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he added.  

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)

While Trudeau did not release a separate statement, his office tried to save him from getting the brunt of it. The Prime Minister’s office stated that Trudeau did the right thing. “This was the right thing to do,” the statement said. “No advance notice was provided to the prime minister’s office, nor the Ukrainian delegation, about the invitation or the recognition,” the office added.