Liberal MP Karina Gould said her party vetted the guest list from Friday’s House of Commons event, which included a Nazi veteran — but she also said that her party is in no way responsible for his presence and had no idea he would be there.

On Friday, all members of parliament gave 98-year-old Ukrainian veteran Yaroslav Hunka a standing ovation, without realizing that Hunka fought for Adolf Hitler in the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the Nazi SS during World War II.  

Liberal MP and House Speaker Anthony Rota apologized for recognizing the Nazi veteran in the House of Commons but did not resign for what he said was his “initiative.”  

The Liberal’s House Speaker Gould said on Monday that “when it comes to everyone that was invited to Parliament, of course that vetting happened.”

But on Sunday, she said that “the government played no role” and also that they “did not know he would be there.”

Double standards

Gould also asked the Conservatives not to politicize the colossal mishap. But social media users were quick to point out that is exactly what she did during the Freedom Convoy.

In February 2022, Gould stood and cheered for PM Trudeau when he painted thousands of protesters as Nazi sympathizers because of a few suspicious Nazi flags that appeared briefly by masked men. 

Trudeau blames Russia

PM Trudeau decided to skip out on Question Period and chat with the BC Premier instead. 

When asked by a reporter for his reaction to the embarrassing incident, Trudeau fully blamed Rota. He also said that Canadians need to push back against Russian disinformation.

Calls for Rota’s resignation

The Bloq Quebecois Party and the New Democrat Party called for Rota to resign on Monday.

The Conservative Party has not called on Rota to resign. Instead, they cast doubt that Rota is solely to blame for Hunka getting invited to the House as an honourary guest.