Russia publishes its blacklist of Canadians: Quebec athletes now banned by Moscow

Posted On: April 13, 2023

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday released a list of 333 Canadian citizens who are now banned from entering Russia.

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When we find many provincial politicians, we also note the presence of all the athletes who signed the letter on the withdrawal of Russian and Belarusian athletes in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Among them are cross country skier Alex Harvey, freestyle skier Alexandre Bilodeau and figure skater Meagan Duhamel.

On March 9, the 42 Canadian athletes asked the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) to reject the idea of allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paris Games unless Moscow pulls out of Ukraine entirely. In its publication, the Russian ministry attacks the Trudeau government.

“Given the periodic anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the Trudeau regime on Russian officials, politicians, pundits, journalists, cultural figures and athletes, and anyone who does not support the ‘mainstream’ of ‘Ottawa and the neo-die of her “Nazi-backed authorities in Kiev have permanently barred 333 Canadian citizens from entering the Russian Federation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Moscow says answer

Russia says it is responding to Canadian sanctions against a number of its citizens who have been banned from entering Canada.

Adhering to the principle of the inevitability of punishment, in response to Ottawa’s hostile actions, the Russian side has placed Canadian leaders, parliamentarians and politicians at various levels, public activists and athletes involved in the spread of rabies on the “arrest list.” set Russophobia in the country. This measure is also intended to encourage people on the “black list” to change their behaviour. »

And the political class

Several politicians have been added to the list of Canadians banned from entering Russia. We find the Governor General of Canada Mary Jeannie Simon, all the ministers and MPs from Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, as well as Montreal Councilor Serge Sasseville and International Criminal Court Judge Kimberley Prost.

Later in the day, the offices of the Secretary of State and Minister for Sport responded to the situation.

“We will not back down and will not be in any way deterred by Russia’s bullying tactics, and we support Canadian athletes who also want Russia banned from the Paris 2024 Summer Games. »

“We will continue to work with our partners and allies to support Ukraine and suppress Vladimir Putin’s war and propaganda machine. »

Some athletes were denied entry in Russia :