Russia has retaliated against Canada by banning a long list of public figures, including Nipissing-Timiskaming MP and Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota.
The list of 313 also included Timmins—James Bay MP Charlie Angus.
See the complete list here.
A statement was issued today by the Russian Foreign Ministry on personal sanctions against top officials, parliamentarians and what it calls "anti-Russian figures" in Canada
The statement says "In response to the feverishly imposed official Ottawa, which competes in a Russophobic rage with Washington, all the new sanctions that were extended to the top leaders of Russia and almost the entire Russian deputies, since March 15 of this year. The 'black list' of persons prohibited from entering the Russian Federation includes Prime Minister J. Trudeau, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and National Defense M. Joli and A. Anand. Most of the deputies of the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament and aggressive pro-Bander elements are also among those banned."
It claims the step was taken in response to "the outrageous hostility of the current Canadian regime, which has tested our patience for so long. Every Russophobic attack, be it attacks on Russian diplomatic missions, airspace closures, or Ottawa's actual severing of bilateral economic ties to the detriment of Canadian interests, will inevitably receive a decisive and not necessarily symmetrical rebuff."
BayToday reached out Rota but he is on his way back from Ottawa and declined to comment on the story.
Charlie Angus says he's not at all worried.
"To me, this is a sign that Putin is just not used to people pushing back," Angus told BayToday. "He's starting to look a little ridiculous with this blacklist. I'll wear it as a badge of honour."
Angus says he won't be intimidated by Putin's announcement that he's not allowed in his country."
"This is an illegal war. Putin is an international criminal and we have to call him out as Canadians."
Angus points out, however, he would love to visit Russia.
"When I think of the Russian people who are being dragged into this horrific conflict by this international outlaw. But he's not going to intimidate us in Canada by targeting Canadian business people, parliamentarians and activists. We've got to speak up. I'm wearing this as a badge of pride, of honour."
Angus, well known as an accomplished musician, added someone suggested to him he should do a version of the song Banned in the USSR, based on the famous Beatles song.
A spokesperson for Justin Trudeau said the prime minister was not bothered by the new Canadian additions to the Russian black list.
"The only response from Russia that we're interested in is an immediate end to the illegal, unnecessary war in Ukraine. Until then, Canada and our allies will continue imposing crippling sanctions on Putin and his enablers in Russia and Belarus.".
