Ex-Speaker Rota insults CTV reporter after question about Hunka invitation
Author of the article:Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles, Postmedia News
Published Feb 27, 2024 • 2 minute read
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota went on the defensive in Cobalt, Ont., on Feb. 9 when he insulted CTV video journalist Eric Taschner during a news conference after he was asked about former Nazi soldier Yaroslav Hunka.
Hunka, a North Bay, Ont., resident, received a standing ovation last fall in the House of Commons during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ottawa.
Rota was quoted as saying, “We have in the chamber today a Ukrainian-Canadian veteran from the Second World War who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians and continues to support the troops today at the age of 98.”
Jewish groups then brought up that Hunka served in the Second World War with the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Galician), a unit in Eastern Europe under Nazi command.
The recognition of Hunka caused an international firestorm of negative publicity, demands for Rota to resign as Speaker and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take responsibility.
Rota apologized and took sole blame for the epic blunder. A few days later Rota stepped down as Speaker, but remains the MP for the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding in northern Ontario.
Taschner, a CTV journalist, attended a Feb. 9 event unveiling and asked Rota for clarification on a report earlier this month that Trudeau invited Hunka to a reception in Toronto for Zelenskyy on the same day he addressed Parliament.
He replied, “I think I’ve already answered that. No, I know I already answered that. I don’t know how many times you have to keep asking me that question. I guess I can ask you when they split up East Germany, east and west, there was a tyrant named Taschner – were you related? Or how were you related?”
Rota’s office didn’t respond to a request for a comment.
Bell Media also didn’t respond to a request.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles, Postmedia News
Published Feb 27, 2024 • 2 minute read
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota went on the defensive in Cobalt, Ont., on Feb. 9 when he insulted CTV video journalist Eric Taschner during a news conference after he was asked about former Nazi soldier Yaroslav Hunka.
Hunka, a North Bay, Ont., resident, received a standing ovation last fall in the House of Commons during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ottawa.
Rota was quoted as saying, “We have in the chamber today a Ukrainian-Canadian veteran from the Second World War who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians and continues to support the troops today at the age of 98.”
Jewish groups then brought up that Hunka served in the Second World War with the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Galician), a unit in Eastern Europe under Nazi command.
The recognition of Hunka caused an international firestorm of negative publicity, demands for Rota to resign as Speaker and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take responsibility.
Rota apologized and took sole blame for the epic blunder. A few days later Rota stepped down as Speaker, but remains the MP for the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding in northern Ontario.
Taschner, a CTV journalist, attended a Feb. 9 event unveiling and asked Rota for clarification on a report earlier this month that Trudeau invited Hunka to a reception in Toronto for Zelenskyy on the same day he addressed Parliament.
He replied, “I think I’ve already answered that. No, I know I already answered that. I don’t know how many times you have to keep asking me that question. I guess I can ask you when they split up East Germany, east and west, there was a tyrant named Taschner – were you related? Or how were you related?”
Rota’s office didn’t respond to a request for a comment.
Bell Media also didn’t respond to a request.
Ex-Speaker Rota insults CTV reporter after question about Hunka invitation
Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota went on the defensive in Cobalt, Ont., on Feb. 9 when he insulted CTV video journalist Eric Taschner.
