The Nazi veteran, who received a standing ovation in Parliament last Friday during the Ukrainian president’s visit, donated $30,000 to the University of Alberta Endowment Fund, which today promises to transfer the entire amount and “regrets” the situation.
• Also read: Ex-Nazi soldier in Parliament: Trudeau apologizes 5 days later
• Also read: Homage to a former Nazi fighter: Rota leaves, but the case is not closed, here as elsewhere
The matter was first raised by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canada on Wednesday evening.
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In a statement sent to the QMI agency on Thursday, “the university’s vice-rector, Verna Yiu, acknowledges the unintentional harm caused by her accepting the donation on behalf of Mr. Hunka, who was meanwhile fought in an SS division of the Nazi armed forces.” World War II.
“After carefully considering the complexities, experiences and circumstances of those affected by the situation, we have made the decision to close the endowment fund and return the funds to the donor,” she said. “The university acknowledges and regrets the unintended harm. »
Ms Yiu indicates that consideration of returning funds to Mr Hunka began “after Yaroslav Hunka’s presentation” to the House of Commons and not after the Russian Embassy’s micromessage released on Wednesday.
The donation was originally intended for the university’s Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, with a focus on work with Catholic cardinals who were persecuted by the Soviet Union in the decades after the end of the war.
The University of Alberta says it will “review its general naming policies and procedures, including those related to foundations.”
“On behalf of the University, I would like to express our commitment to combating anti-Semitism in all its manifestations, including the ways in which the Holocaust continues to resonate today,” Ms. Yiu continued.
This is a new backlash related to the ovation for Mr. Hunka that resonated around the world.
House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota resigned from his position on Tuesday, accepting responsibility for this monumental mistake that reverberated around the world.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later apologized on behalf of Parliament.
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