Alberta premier calls presence of Nazi veteran in Parliament ‘humiliating for Canada’

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called the presence of a Nazi war veteran in Parliament last week “humiliating for Canada.”

Smith reacted to the international controversy Wednesday at an unrelated press conference in Calgary.

She called the situation “embarrassing.”

House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota accepted responsibility for inviting 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit last Friday and asking that Parliament recognize him through standing ovations.

Rota resigned Tuesday and is formally stepping down Wednesday.

“I’m glad that this speaker has apologized and he’s resigned for the mistake he made,” Smith said. “It was extremely inappropriate. I think everyone recognizes that. And I’m watching it with interest to see if the prime minister will also apologize today.”

Several Jewish advocacy organizations quickly condemned members of Parliament and Rota in the aftermath.

“I have two staff members who were off on Yom Kippur, which is one of the most holy days in the in the Jewish calendar,” Smith said. “And I can’t tell you the hurt that is caused to members of the Jewish community that this occurred.”