The SS veteran’s two ovations in the House of Commons that day sparked an outcry and led to the resignation of speaker Anthony Rota after he pointed him out in the gallery, paid tribute to him and said he was a Canadian and Ukrainian hero.
The invitation from the Prime Minister to “a special event” at Fort York Armoury in Toronto later that evening was sent to Mr. Hunka four days before the reception from the Office of Protocol of Canada.
“Dear Yaroslav Hunka, The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, is pleased to invite you to a special event.
It asks for a reply by the next day, and says: “Once we receive confirmation of your attendance, the formal invitation will be issued, including detailed information regarding registration and access.”
The accolades the Waffen-SS veteran received in the House of Commons – including two separate ovations - caused an outcry in Canada and abroad, with some saying it boosted discredited Russian propaganda about Ukraine having Nazi ties.
Mr. Hunka has been open about his decision to volunteer for the Nazi-led unit, and 13 years ago wrote an essay about his time in the Waffen-SS Galicia division for an American online magazine focused on Ukrainian war veterans.
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