The ex-soldier of a Nazi unit in Ukraine – who received a standing ovation in the House of Commons in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last September – was also invited to another event by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
More than 1,000 people were invited to this community activity organized in Toronto, which also included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
Among the guest list: Yaroslav Hunka, 98 years old. The former Nazi soldier served in the 14the Waffen-SS Galicia division, a volunteer unit created by the Nazis to help fight the Soviet Union (USSR).
The veteran’s ovation in the House of Commons in September embarrassed Canada.
Daily life Globe and Mail reported Monday morning that Mr. Hunka had also been invited to an event in the presence of President Zelensky during his visit last September. Information that the Prime Minister’s office confirmed to The Press.
“ The Prime Minister had no knowledge of this person before the independent recognition by the former Speaker of the House of Commons,” emphasized press secretary Mohammad Hussain.
On a recommended list
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Hunka was on a list of hundreds of people recommended by organizations supporting Ukrainians. “The name of the person in question was submitted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress,” specifies Mr. Hussain. This person did not participate in the activity. Knowing what we know today, this person should not have been invited. »
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress did not respond to The Press at the time these lines were published.
Remember that the nonagenarian was given a warm ovation twice by elected officials and senators of the Canadian Parliament – as well as by the Ukrainian president – last September, provoking a political and diplomatic controversy.
“He is a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero and we thank him for his service,” presented the Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota, who has since resigned.
Mr. Hunka’s presence in the House of Commons brought to the fore the issue of background checks on guests. In December, new House Speaker Greg Fergus filed draft guidelines to put in place new guest guidelines.
In February, in the wake of the same scandal, Ottawa also declassified a report describing the extent to which Canada provided refuge to former Nazis during the Cold War.