Russia invades Ukraine: Trudeau announces additional Canadian sanctions and ban on export permits after "horrific, unprovoked attack"

Russia invades Ukraine: Trudeau announces additional Canadian sanctions and ban on export permits after "horrific, unprovoked attack"

By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 4:48pmET

Canada has revoked export permits to Russia and pledged additional sanctions against dozens of Russian individuals and entities in response to a “horrific, unprovoked” attack on Ukraine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today.

The Canadian armed forces will also place 3,400 personnel on stand-by for deployment to Europe if required, according to Defence Minister Anita Anand.

The 58 targets for sanctions include the Wagner Group, more major banks, and members of Russia's Security Council – including the defence, finance, and justice ministers.

The cancelling of hundreds of approved and pending export permits represents some $700 million, mainly within the aerospace, mineral, and technology sectors, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said.

The Canadian government is also prioritizing immigration applications from Ukrainians and launching a dedicated phone line for urgent information. But Canadian diplomatic personnel have now relocated to Poland.

Trudeau called Russia’s invasion the greatest threat to European stability since the Second World War – an unjustified attack in “brazen disregard” of international law that leaves innocent Ukrainians in peril.

The prime minister said his message to the people of Ukraine was: “You are not alone. We are standing with you.”

WATCH: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, and Defence Minister Anita Anand

Canadian sanctions already announced this week include:

  • measures against Russian State Duma members who voted to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent
  • a ban on Canadian business dealings in the "non-government controlled areas" of Donetsk and Luhansk
  • a ban on "direct and indirect dealings" in Russian sovereign debt
  • measures against two Russian banks

Canada has also pledged to NATO:

  • an artillery battery of M777 guns and approximately 120 personnel to join Canada's contribution in Latvia
  • deployment of a second frigate (HMCS Halifax) with an embarked maritime helicopter
  • re-deployment of a CP-140 Aurora long range patrol aircraft already in the region

Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen said in a written statement that:

(Vladimir) Putin’s contemptible aggression and invasion of Ukraine is unacceptable. His attack on the Ukrainian people and their democratically elected government is despicable. Autocrats like Putin should and will be judged harshly. Conservatives stand ready to defend the rules-based international order against these grievous violations of international law.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Canada must:

use all tools to deter Putin’s aggressive actions, including by immediately imposing additional severe economic sanctions where it hurts Putin the most. As recommended by multiple experts, Canada should sanction Canadian assets of Putin’s closest oligarchs. By expanding sanctions to the assets of ultra-wealthy oligarchs and barring their financial interactions, Putin’s own wealth will be exposed, and it compromises his ability to protect the oligarchs who enable him. Canada must also engage with allied countries to work towards removing Russia from the SWIFT banking network.

Watch Singh speak with reporters this morning in Toronto:

Bloc Québécois Yves-François Blanchet also commented on the invasion:

Watch Blanchet speak with reporters this morning in Quebec City:

Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, told the General Assembly yesterday that "Russia must accept responsibility for the loss of human life, the destruction of the country and the chaos it has created.”

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In Committee: FINTRAC officials face questions after Emergencies Act officially revoked

A pair of officials from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) go before the Standing Committee on Finance for questions on the financial measures used under the Emergencies Act. 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday that the federal emergency declaration would be revoked. Read the official order-in-council 

The financial provisions had included:

  • Broadening the scope of money laundering and terrorist funding rules to target crowdfunding platforms and payment providers, which must register with FINTRAC and report large and suspicious transactions;
  • Authorizing Canadian financial institutions to cease, without a court order, service to accounts suspected of furthering illegal blockades and occupations;
  • Allowing for the suspension of bank accounts and vehicle insurance of companies with trucks taking part in blockades.

Emergencies Act: Read the measures that dealt with banks, financial institutions, and crowdfunding platforms

The Emergencies Act also requires a special parliamentary committee of MPs and senators to take an oath of secrecy, provide oversight, and eventually produce a report to Parliament.

Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and John Ivison

Canada condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine. The prime minister revokes the Emergencies Act. Sources close to Stephen Harper say the former prime minister would oppose a Jean Charest run for the Conservative leadership.

Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe: