Russia has issued a fresh round of sanctions, 鈥渋ndefinitely鈥� banning 61 Canadians from entering Russia, including premiers, mayors, journalists, military officials and top staffers in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau鈥檚 government.
meaning they鈥檇 be denied entry to the Russian Federation. It鈥檚 a move Russia says is in direct retaliation for Canada鈥檚 ongoing imposition of sanctions on influential Russians in an effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his military鈥檚 attacks on Ukraine.
Five premiers -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, Saskatchewan , Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and John Horgan -- are on the latest list, published on Thursday.
Toronto Mayor John Tory and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson have been banned from Russia, as have Canada鈥檚 ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, Acting Clerk of the Privy Council Janice Charette, former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy, and former senator Romeo Dallaire.
Trudeau鈥檚 chief of staff Katie Telford, deputy chief of staff Brian Clow, senior adviser Jeremy Broadhurst, and communications director Cameron Ahmad have also been sanctioned, alongside top staffers to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Defence Minister Anita Anand.
Freeland has been on Russia鈥檚 sanctions list for several years, while Trudeau and Anand were already sanctioned by Russia, alongside hundreds of federal politicians and joined recently by most Canadian senators.
Responding to Russia鈥檚 move, Trudeau told reporters that it 鈥渄oes not weaken our resolve one bit.鈥�
He said Canada will keep standing up for Ukraine and pushing back 鈥渁gainst Vladimir Putin's murderous regime.鈥�
鈥淚ncluding with crippling sanctions of a scale, never before seen against a major economy, and [will] continue to work with the international community, including the International Criminal Court, to hold Vladimir Putin and his cronies to account,鈥� Trudeau said.
Top security and military officials made Thursday鈥檚 list, too. They include Communications Security Establishment Chief Shelley Bruce, and Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Canadian Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Steve Boivin.
After the sanctions were announced, the Department of National Defence announced the retirement of two senior officers who were on Russia's sanctions list: Vice-Admiral Craig Baines who is departing from his role as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, and lieutenant-general Al Meinzinger, who is leaving as commander of the Canadian Air Force.
In what appears to be a countermove after Canada sanctioned some top Russian media figures, the latest round of sanctions also includes journalists and leading members of national media organizations. Among them are vice-president of 麻豆影视 Michael Melling, CBC president Catherine Tait, and The Globe and Mail鈥檚 editor-in-chief David Walmsley.
The Russian Foreign Ministry is claiming that the individuals sanctioned are 鈥渄irectly involved in the development, substantiation and implementation of the Russophobic course of the ruling regime in Canada.鈥�
In Thursday鈥檚 statement, Russia vowed more names will be added 鈥渋n response to the hostile actions of the Government of Canada,鈥� citing Canada鈥檚 decision to back Ukraine by sending weapons and other aid to assist in their fight against Vladimir Putin鈥檚 unjustified attacks.
Those who have responded to being added to the sanctions list are largely considering the move inconsequential.
saying he assumes he鈥檚 on the list because he asked city staff to install 鈥楩ree Ukraine鈥� street signs outside the Russian embassy.
鈥淚 do not take this ban seriously and I will continue to speak out against the war crimes being committed by Putin,鈥� he said.
the premier has been clear, 鈥淥ntario stands with the people of Ukraine and our support will never waver.鈥�
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Correction:
This article has been corrected to reflect that it is Baines, and not Boivin who is retiring from the military.
