# Jarosław Hunka: Canadian-Ukrainian Waffen-SS Veteran and Political Scandal ## Introduction Jarosław Hunka (ukr. Ярослав Ількович Гунька, ur. 19 marca 1925 w Urmaniu) is a controversial figure in Canadian and Ukrainian history. A veteran of the Waffen-SS Galizien division during World War II, he became the center of a major political scandal in 2023 when he was honored in the Canadian House of Commons during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This incident reignited debates about Canada's historical treatment of alleged Nazi war criminals and the complexities of Ukrainian-Canadian relations. ## Background ### Early Life and Military Service Born on 19 March 1925 in Urman, Hunka volunteered for the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Ukrainian), commonly known as SS“Galizien”, in 1943 at the age of 18. According to Hunka, his motivation was the call by the Ukrainian Central Committee to fight for a “United Ukraine”. Known photographs from his military training in Munich and Neuhammer (now Świętoszów) document his service. During the war, Hunka was deployed to the Eastern Front against the Red Army. While Dominique Arel, director of Ukrainian studies at the University of Ottawa, noted that it was difficult to determine whether specific elements of the division participated in war crimes, he acknowledged that the SS“Galizien” was involved in the killing of Polish civilians. Hunka described the Wehrmacht as “mystical German knights” in his memoirs. ### Post-War Life After World War II, Hunka settled in the United Kingdom as a displaced person and joined the Ukrainian Society in Great Britain. In 1951, he married Margaret Ann Edgerton (1931–2018), and the couple emigrated to Canada three years later, settling in Toronto. There, they raised two sons, Martin and Peter, while actively participating in the local Ukrainian community. Hunka worked in the aviation industry before becoming an inspector at de Havilland, and on retirement, he remained active in Ukrainian community affairs. In 2004, Hunka was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Brzeżany, Ukraine, by the Brzeżany City Council. In 2007, the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress presented him and other former members of SS“Galizien” with the Medal for Services. Hunka published texts on an online blog run by the SS“Galizien” veterans' association between 2010 and 2011. In 2022, he traveled to Greater Sudbury to protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stating that “the destruction is simply unbelievable, and the rebuilding will take years, but Ukraine will win and God will bless Ukraine”. He resided in North Bay, Ontario, from 2023 onward. ## The Scandal ### The Parliamentary Reception On 22 September 2023, during a visit by Ukrainian President Zelensky to Canada, Hunka was invited to the Canadian House of Commons by Speaker Anthony Rota. Rota introduced Hunka as a “Ukrainian-Canadian veteran of World War II who fought for Ukraine’s independence against the Russians and still supports its soldiers, even at the age of 98”. Rota praised Hunka as “a Ukrainian hero, a Canadian hero, and thanked him for his entire service.” Hunka received two standing ovations from all members of the House, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other leaders. ### Aftermath and Reactions The incident sparked widespread international condemnation. The Simon Wiesenthal Center stated that “the crimes against humanity committed by Hunka’s division during the Holocaust are well-documented” and condemned SS“Galizien” as “a unit responsible for mass murders of innocent civilians [committed] with an unimaginable level of brutality,” citing events like the massacre of Polish civilians in Huta Pieniacka in 1944. Rota resigned five days later, taking responsibility for the invitation. The House of Commons passed a unanimous resolution condemning Nazism and withdrawing recognition of Hunka. Prime Minister Trudeau apologized to Zelensky and the global Jewish community, calling it “a mistake that deeply shamed Parliament and Canada.” Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre labeled it “the greatest diplomatic embarrassment in Canada’s history.” The incident reignited interest in Canada’s historical treatment of alleged Nazi war criminals. ## Aftermath ### Legal Proceedings Polish Minister of Education Przemysław Czarnek announced steps toward possible extradition of Hunka to Poland. Czarnek stated that Poland was investigating whether Hunka was wanted for “crimes against the Polish Nation and Polish citizens of Jewish origin.” Russian authorities charged Hunka with “ludobójstwo ludności cywilnej na terenie Ukraińskiej SRR podczas Wielkiej Wojny Ojczyźnianej” (mass murder of civilians in the Ukrainian SSR during World War II), alleging he killed “at least 500 citizens of the USSR” in Huta Pieniacka. The Russian Investigative Committee sought an international arrest warrant. ### Community Impact The scandal led to the closure of the Jarosław and Margaret Hunki Research Fund at the University of Alberta and the return of approximately CAD 30,000 to their sons, citing the university’s regret over unintended harm. Neonazis in Oakville, Ontario, placed flowers at a monument to SS“Galizien”, praising Hunka as a defender of Europe against “Asian-communist plague.” The actions were condemned by Jewish organizations, which demanded the monument's removal. ## Conclusion Jarosław Hunka’s story encapsulates the complex legacy of World War II in Eastern Europe and the enduring challenges of historical reconciliation. His controversial recognition in Canada highlights the tensions between honoring veterans and confronting wartime atrocities, leaving a lasting impact on Canadian-Ukrainian relations and international perceptions of historical justice. ## References [1] CBC News. (2023, September 22). [Article on the scandal]. [2] The Canadian Press. (2023, September 26). [Rota's resignation statement]. [3] Simon Wiesenthal Center. (2023, September 24). [Statement on Hunka's division]. [4] Polish Ministry of Education. (2023, September 26). [Czarnek's announcement]. [5] Russian Investigative Committee. (2023, October 20). [Charge against Hunka]. --- **SEO Title**: Jarosław Hunka: Canadian-Ukrainian Waffen-SS Veteran and Political Scandal **Meta Description**: Jarosław Hunka, a Ukrainian-Canadian veteran of the Waffen-SS Galizien division, became the center of a political scandal in Canada in 2023 after being honored in Parliament during a visit by President Zelensky. Explore his controversial history and the aftermath.