The Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons resigned Tuesday for inviting a man who fought in a Nazi military unit during World War II to attend a speech by the Ukrainian president.

Immediately after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech in the House on Friday, Canadian lawmakers gave a standing ovation when House Speaker Anthony Rota introduced 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka as a war hero who fought in the Ukrainian First Division.

Later it became known that the 1st Ukrainian Division, also called the Waffen-SS Galicia Division or the 14th SS Waffen Division, was a volunteer unit under the command of the Nazis.

“No one in this chamber is above the rest. Therefore, I must resign as president,” Rota said. “I reiterate my deep remorse for my mistake in recognizing an individual in the room during President Zelensky’s speech to parliament.”

“This public recognition has caused suffering to individuals and communities, including the Jewish community in Canada and around the world, as well as survivors of Nazism in Poland, among other countries. “I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he added.

Rota resigned after meeting with House bloc leaders during the day. The main opposition parties called on Monday for Rota to resign, and the ruling bloc’s president, Karina Gould, said Tuesday that lawmakers had lost confidence in Rota.

Gould said Rota invited Hunka and recognized him without informing the government or the Ukrainian delegation.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also called for his resignation.

“This is completely unacceptable. “He has embarrassed the House and Canadians, and I think the president should listen to lawmakers and resign.”

Joly said he had discussed the issue with the Ukrainian government.

The Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies also called for Rota’s resignation.

“While we acknowledge his apology, President Rota’s decision to invite a former member of the Waffen-SS, infamous for his role in Holocaust atrocities, to the Parliament of Canada has left a stain on the venerable legislature of our country. for Canada and the world,” the center said in a statement.