Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Russia sanctions 61 more Canadians, including top Trudeau staffers, premiers, mayors and journalists

Share

Russia has issued a fresh round of sanctions, “indefinitely†banning 61 Canadians from entering Russia, including premiers, mayors, journalists, military officials and top staffers in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.

meaning they’d be denied entry to the Russian Federation. It’s a move Russia says is in direct retaliation for Canada’s ongoing imposition of sanctions on influential Russians in an effort to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his military’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’s move, Trudeau told reporters that it “does not weaken our resolve one bit.â€

He said Canada will keep standing up for Ukraine and pushing back “against Vladimir Putin's murderous regime.â€

“Including 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,†Trudeau said.

Top security and military officials made Thursday’s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½ Michael Melling, CBC president Catherine Tait, and The Globe and Mail’s editor-in-chief David Walmsley.

The Russian Foreign Ministry is claiming that the individuals sanctioned are “directly involved in the development, substantiation and implementation of the Russophobic course of the ruling regime in Canada.â€

In Thursday’s statement, Russia vowed more names will be added “in response to the hostile actions of the Government of Canada,†citing Canada’s decision to back Ukraine by sending weapons and other aid to assist in their fight against Vladimir Putin’s unjustified attacks.

Those who have responded to being added to the sanctions list are largely considering the move inconsequential.

saying he assumes he’s on the list because he asked city staff to install ‘Free Ukraine’ street signs outside the Russian embassy.

“I do not take this ban seriously and I will continue to speak out against the war crimes being committed by Putin,†he said.

the premier has been clear, “Ontario stands with the people of Ukraine and our support will never waver.â€

___

Get in touch

Do you have any questions about the attack on Ukraine? Email dotcom@bellmedia.ca.

  • Please include your name, location, and contact information if you are willing to speak to a journalist with Â鶹´«Ã½.
  • Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story.

Correction

This article has been corrected to reflect that it is Baines, and not Boivin who is retiring from the military.

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

A team of tornado experts is heading to Fergus, Ont. after a storm ripped through the area Sunday night.

Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

Local Spotlight

For the second year in a row, the ‘Gift-a-Family’ campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts – not for themselves, but for those in need.

A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

Stay Connected