Canada Parliament speaker resigns after tribute to Nazi-linked veteran

Speaker of Cana’s Parliament has resigned after he invited a Ukrainian Nazi veteran to attend a special session of Parliament, and n called him a “hero” amid two standing ovations. In latest update, Anthony Rota has stepped down as speaker on Tuesday, September 26, reported Guardian. 

He has resigned after meeting with party leers in Ottawa amid growing cross-party calls for his resignation.  “This house is above any of us,” he told lawmakers. tably,  Cana’s foreign minister Melanie Joly called situation “deeply unacceptable” and an “embarrassment”. 

Opposition lawmakers call on Cana’s House speaker to resign 

government House leer stated that Rota should do “hourable thing” and step down. Conservative leer Pierre Poilievre has also lambasted Canian PM Justin Trudeau for fiasco. Poilievre said, " prime minister h “brought shame on Cana” after government’s “massive diplomatic and intelligence apparatus vet and prevent houring a Nazi”. 

scandal began after lawmakers in Cana’s parliament welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Friday, September 22.  Following a speech by Zelenskyy, Rota singled out 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, whom he h invited to sit in gallery, describing man as a “Canian hero”, reported AP. 

After being criticised by opposition, Rota issued a written apology on Sunday, September 24 and repeated it in House on Monday, September 25. But he did t immediately resign even after same being demanded by many Canian lawmakers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also called incident “extremely upsetting." “ speaker has ackwledged his mistake and has apologized,” said Trudeau, reported AP. “This is something that is deeply embarrassing to Parliament of Cana and by extension to all Canians.”

In his apology, Rota said he alone was responsible for inviting and recognizing Hunka. “I am deeply sorry that I have offended many with my gesture and remarks," said in his apology letter.  Furr, he ded, " one — t even anyone among you, fellow parliamentarians, or from Ukrainian delegation — was privy to my intention or my remarks prior to ir delivery.”