I am not a permanent resident of North Bay but I grew up, graduated high school, and was employed here for a few years. I have always been proud to be from this city. But not today.
Once again a Canadian politician has embarrassed our country. Mr. Rota has demonstrated how insensitive a politician can be to many Canadian citizens and those in other parts of the world who are survivors or families of Holocaust survivors.
See related: Rota under fire for honouring a North Bay resident with Nazi ties
He has demonstrated his personal ignorance and lack of knowledge regarding one of the worst crimes in the last century. Anyone can easily find out who the Waffen-SS were, their mission, and how they accomplished their goals. They were Nazi Divisions who were, in their beginning, required to be pure Aryan as part of the Nazi goal of racial dominance. They did conscript and they did accept volunteers.
Apparently, Mr. Rota did not vet his constituent fully. Saying you were unaware of who you are inviting into our Parliament, to represent us as a people is unacceptable.
See also: Jewish group demands apology after MPs honoured man who fought for Nazis
If a Ukrainian who has been living in Canada volunteered for the Waffen-SS Galicia Division he voluntarily joined the Nazis in suppressing Slovaks and Poles towards the end of the war.
The Waffen-SS was deemed a criminal organization by the Nuremberg tribunal thereby potentially making a Ukrainian volunteer of the Waffen-SS a war criminal.
It’s sad to think once again a Canadian politician makes us look so bad on the world stage. Where are all our politicians when it comes to an apology for Mr. Rota’s action? Standing up for and with the Ukrainian people at this time is admirable but Mr. Rota should learn world history, and be cognizant of those he applauds in order not to make such a dire mistake ever again.
Sincerely,
Susan Neil
