On Nazis and Forgiveness

 

Ex-House Speaker Anthony Rota

Friend Xerxes has come out in qualified defense of the Canadian Parliament applauding for a former Nazi last week.

To begin with, he makes the valid historical point that Hunka’s actions might not have been that unforgivable, given the history of the Western Ukraine. Barring evidence of his participation in specific war crimes.

But Hunka is not the real issue; and there is a valid distinction between forgiving his actions and giving them a standing ovation.

More generally, Xerxes objects to calling anything “unforgivable.”

I agree that “unforgivable,” if it was used, is the wrong term. Apparently the NDP House Leader, at least, used the word. Nothing is unforgivable in principle. The term should never be used, here or elsewhere. “Intolerable” or “unacceptable” would be proper—requiring apology, atonement and then forgiveness.

What was intolerable, to be precise, was the Canadian parliament giving a standing ovation to someone for fighting for Nazi Germany, during a state visit by the president of Ukraine. This looked to the enemies of Canada and of Ukraine like an endorsement of Nazism and an admission that the Ukrainians have Nazis among them, and they are officially embraced. Fitting perfectly with Putin’s justification for his invasion.

This being so, the people of Canada, the government of Ukraine, the Jews, the Poles, Canadian veterans, and the people of the world, are entitled to a full investigation and a clear explanation of how this happened, and apologies and atonement all round. Nothing really personal against Hunka.

The Speaker of the House has taken full responsibility, claimed it was due to his ignorance, and resigned. But this leaves too many unanswered questions. He announced to the House that Hunka fought against Russia in World War II. Anyone who knows the basics of that conflict would have known that meant he also fought against Canada; how could that not be a concern? How could that not raise further questions? Is it credible that the Speaker, and those in his office, were so ignorant? How was Hunka not also vetted by the security services, in the context of a state visit?

The situation was intolerable; meaning we cannot look the other way. We must investigate. It is likely that more people must lose their jobs, to make it clear that Canada does not support or endorse Nazism. It would actually make most sense if the entire parliament resigned and submitted themselves to the judgement of the people.