By Andrew Thomson | UPDATED 4:48pmET
Canada to join sanctions against Putin and Russian foreign minister, support Russian removal from SWIFT payment system: PM
Canada is joining other western nations in placing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin himself, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this afternoon.
New sanctions will also apply to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin’s chief of staff.
Canada will also support Russia’s removal from the SWIFT payment system and levy additional sanctions on 57 individuals in Belarus for that country’s support of Russia’s invasion, Trudeau said.
The Canadian government is also prepared to match donations to Ukrainian relief efforts via the Canadian Red Cross, to a maximum of $10 million.
"We will be imposing sanctions on President Putin and his fellow architects of this barbaric war," PM Justin Trudeau announces at a news conference in Ottawa; the prime minister also says Canada will support the removal of Russia from the SWIFT banking system. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/vO6ojXBUiu
— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) February 25, 2022
Canada boosted its sanctions for a second time yesterday, with revoked export permits to Russia and additional measures against dozens of Russian individuals and entities in response to a “horrific, unprovoked” attack on Ukraine.
The Canadian armed forces will also place 3,400 personnel on stand-by for deployment to Europe if required.
The 58 targets for sanctions include 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.
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.”
Canadian sanctions announced earlier in the week included:
- 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
Federal officials provide COVID-19 update
In Committee: Mendicino faces questions on Emergencies Act and federal response to blockades and occupation of Ottawa at 12:30pm ET / 9:30pm PT
The Commons public safety committee will question Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino after the cancellation of a meeting scheduled for earlier this week.
Also appearing: RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki, CBSA president John Ossowski, and a number of senior federal officials.
WATCH LIVE
The government has revoked the federal emergency declaration. But 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. Parties have yet to reach an agreement on the committee's composition.
Emergencies Act: Read the official declaration
Cabinet's formal order-in-council justified the emergency declaration because of:
(i) the continuing blockades by both persons and motor vehicles that is occurring at various locations throughout Canada and the continuing threats to oppose measures to remove the blockades, including by force, which blockades are being carried on in conjunction with activities that are directed toward or in support of the threat or use of acts of serious violence against persons or property, including critical infrastructure, for the purpose of achieving a political or ideological objective within Canada,
(ii) the adverse effects on the Canadian economy — recovering from the impact of the pandemic known as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — and threats to its economic security resulting from the impacts of blockades of critical infrastructure, including trade corridors and international border crossings,
(iii) the adverse effects resulting from the impacts of the blockades on Canada’s relationship with its trading partners, including the United States, that are detrimental to the interests of Canada,
(iv) the breakdown in the distribution chain and availability of essential goods, services and resources caused by the existing blockades and the risk that this breakdown will continue as blockades continue and increase in number, and
(v) the potential for an increase in the level of unrest and violence that would further threaten the safety and security of Canadians.
Today in Politics Podcast: Mark Sutcliffe and Joanna Smith
Widespread condemnation for Vladimir Putin after the attack on Ukraine. Canada announces more sanctions against Russia. And the Canadian Armed Forces stand ready to assist in Ukraine.
Here's your morning update with Mark Sutcliffe:
