Greg Fergus, a 54-year-old Quebec Liberal lawmaker, was recently voted as the House of Commons’ next speaker, making him the country’s first black speaker.
The election was brought about by Anthony Rota’s retirement, which he announced last week after inviting and honoring a man who served in a Nazi military unit during World War II.
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Last month, Rota called attention to Yaroslav Hunka, 98, and Canadian parliamentarians gave him a standing ovation just after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the chamber. Rota described Hunka as a First Ukrainian Division combatant and a military hero.
The First Ukrainian Division, a volunteer force commanded by the Nazis and also known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division or the SS 14th Waffen Division, was subsequently made public by observers. Rota later expressed regret, claiming he was unaware.
He pledged to lead with respect after being chosen by MPs in a secret vote, and he urged them to show respect for one another. He said that Canadians are watching.
In his opening remarks from the chair, Fergus stated, “The speaker, to use the old hockey analogy, is nothing more than a referee.” He continued, “And if there’s one thing I know, it’s that nobody pays good money to go see the referee. They go to see the stars: you.”
