Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback. speaking in the House of Commons. (submitted photo/Christian Diotte, House of Commons Photo Services)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Feeling Sucker Punched

Sask. MP ’embarrassed’ after accidentally applauding former soldier who served in Nazi division

Sep 27, 2023 | 12:00 PM

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Prince Albert says he felt like he was sucker punched after finding out he accidentally applauded a former Ukrainian soldier who served in a Nazi military unit.

Randy Hoback was in the House of Commons on Friday to listen to a speech from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Shortly afterward, a 98-year-old Second World War veteran was recognized by the Speaker of the House with everyone in attendance giving him a standing ovation. It turned out that the man fought for the First Ukrainian Division, also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, a voluntary unit that was under the command of the Nazis.

“You trust the speaker; you trust the government and privy council that they’ve done their due diligence when they bring somebody in and introduce them in the house. I’ve never met this gentleman, I just had this blind trust in the system,” Hoback said.

He called the entire situation embarrassing.

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“It’s another scar on Canada’s reputation in regards to how we treat our foreign dignitaries and how we’re viewed around the world,” he said.

Hoback also believes the incident has played right into Russia’s propaganda as President Vladimir Putin has claimed his country’s main goal in the Ukraine invasion is to ‘denazify’ the country.

This whole debacle did force Anthony Rota, the House Speaker who invited the man, to resign his position. In Hoback’s opinion, it was the right decision.

“I feel bad for Anthony. Having said that, there has to be responsibility taken,” Hoback said.

Meanwhile, Hoback explained the House of Commons will choose a new speaker on Tuesday.

Every MP is eligible with those not wanting to be considered having to ask to get their name removed from contention.

Until then, Hoback noted the longest-serving MP, Louis Plamondon with the Bloc Québécois, will serve as interim in the meantime.

-With files from The Canadian Press

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow