The news report discusses a controversial event in the Canadian Parliament where Yaroslav Hunka, a former Ukrainian veteran who served in a Nazi military unit during World War II, was invited to speak by the House of Commons speaker, Anthony Rhoda. Despite his controversial past, Hunka received a standing ovation from all sides of the House of Commons. This has led to widespread outrage, particularly from Jewish groups, and has put the Liberal party in a difficult position as the event occurred during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
Rhoda's office has stated that he was unaware of Hunka's Nazi-linked past when he was invited to speak, and that no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukrainian delegation, was aware of his remarks before he delivered them. However, the Prime Minister's office has also said that they did not know about Hunka's past associations with the Nazi Brigade.
This incident has led to calls for Rhoda to resign, with some arguing that it's impossible for the Prime Minister not to have known about this. The Liberal party is currently dealing with a drop in popularity and this incident has further strained their reputation. The situation has also put Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenski in a difficult position, as he received a standing ovation from the same audience that has now expressed outrage over Hunka's speech.
1. The House of Commons in Ottawa, Canada, invited a Ukrainian veteran named Yaroslav Hunka to speak on a Friday. Hunka served in a Nazi military unit during World War II.
2. The invitation caused controversy, leading to a standing ovation from all sides of the House of Commons.
3. The House of Commons speaker, Anthony Rhoda, invited Hunka, but later claimed he was not aware of Hunka's Nazi-linked past when he extended the invitation.
4. Rhoda's office issued a statement saying that neither Rhoda nor his parliamentary colleagues and the Ukrainian delegation were aware of his intentions or remarks before he delivered them.
5. The Prime Minister's office also stated they were not aware that Hunka was going to be in attendance nor did they know about his past associations with the Nazi Brigade during World War II.
6. The Prime Minister's office was not given advance notice of the invitation or the recognition the speaker had his own allotment of guest seating.
7. The incident has caused outrage among Jewish groups and has been criticized by conservative leader Pierre Pauliev.
8. The Liberal party is facing criticism due to the incident, which has happened during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
9. The incident could potentially lead to calls for the resignation of Anthony Rhoda.
10. The situation has also put Ukrainian President Vladimir Zielinski in a difficult position.