National Post Staff

Published Sep 27, 2023

Canada is no longer on comedian Rob Schneider’s travel itinerary.

The 59-year-old said he has cancelled an upcoming visit following 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka being honoured in the House of Commons.

Article content

Hunka, a Ukrainian veteran who fought with a unit under Nazi command in the Second World War, was in attendance last week during an official visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Article content

House Speaker Anthony Rota had invited Hunka and introduced him as a “war hero” who “fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians,” leading to a standing ovation across party lines.

Rota, who said he profoundly regrets his error, resigned from his post earlier this week.

Schneider made multiple posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing disbelief at the incident which has led to international condemnation, including reports that Poland has “taken steps” to possibly extradite Hunka.

Twitter message: Rob Schneider @RobSchneider · I just canceled my trip to Canada. I just can’t… It’s beyond the pale. Trudeau’s tyranny against peaceful trucker protesters seems insignificant to this despicable and outrageous act of honoring of one of ADOLF HITLER’S NAZI SS Soldiers by the Canadian Parliament. No words…

Last edited 12:43 AM · Sep 25, 2023

“This guy fought for Hitler! Not like what we call people Hitler today. THEE Hitler! Like in actual Adolf Hitler,” Schneider, whose father is Jewish, wrote in one post.

In another, the former Saturday Night Live cast member called Rota’s resignation “a very good start,” while calling for the resignations of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland.

Schneider also quipped that he was waiting for an apology from Canadian actor William Shatner “just for being Canadian.”

“I also feel I should apologize now for once DATING a girl who was Canadian,” Schneider added. “I apologize. I also apologize for every Hockey game I’ve watched and for all the maple syrup I’ve drizzled on my pancakes.”

Twitter message: Rob Schneider @RobSchneider · Follow Still waiting to hear from my friend @WilliamShatner 😂 for his ‘apology.’ I also feel I should apologize now for once DATING a girl who was Canadian… 🍁 I apologize. I also apologize for every Hockey game I’ve watched and for all the maple syrup I’ve drizzled on my pancakes. Rob Schneider @RobSchneider Canada’s Prime Sinister justin Trudeau and Canada's House Parliament give WW2 NAZI A STANDING OVATION! I think even William Shatner should apologize… Just for BEING Canadian! https://washingtonexaminer.com/news/canada-house-speaker-apologizes-parliament-standing-ovation-nazi?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=msn_feed Last edited 5:43 PM · Sep 25, 2023

In a statement, Rota said his intention with inviting Hunka, who is a constituent of Rota’s Nipissing-Timiskaming riding, was to “show that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is not a new one; that Ukrainians have unfortunately been subject to foreign aggression for far too long and that this must end.”

He added that he “subsequently become aware of more information,” and apologized for his “gesture and remarks.”

Trudeau, meanwhile, issued an apology on Wednesday on behalf of all MPs.

“On behalf of all of us in this House, I would like to present unreserved apologies for what took place on Friday, and to President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian delegation for the position they were put in,” he said in a statement made in the House of Commons.

The apology was met with boos and heckles from the Conservatives, who took issue with Trudeau not offering personal penance for what happened.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also highlighted that Trudeau was absent from the House until Wednesday.

“The prime minister is now responsible for the biggest single diplomatic embarrassment in Canadian history,” Poilievre said. “And what has he done with that responsibility? He’s been hiding.”