Ottawa mayor Jim Watson banned from Russia

Ottawa mayor Jim Watson has been banned from Russia, part of escalating sanctions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Watson is one of 61 people including politicians, senior bureaucrats, military officials and other notable Canadians whom Russia is banning from travelling there.

The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement announcing the people sanctioned are “directly involved in the development, substantiation and implementation of the Russophobic course of the ruling regime in Canada.”

Watson issued a statement 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.”

Canada has imposed strict sanctions on the Putin regime due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

On Tuesday, the federal government announced new sanctions on 14 close associates of Russian president Vladimir Putin, including his daughters.

Along with Watson, newly-sanctioned politicians include premiers Doug Ford of Ontario, John Horgan of B.C., Jason Kenney of Alberta, Scott Moe of Saskatchewan and Heather Stefanson of Manitoba. Toronto mayor John Tory has also been banned.

Former senator Romeo Dallaire is on the list, along with Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem and U.N. ambassador Bob Rae.

Several prime minister’s office senior employees, senior government ministers, military and intelligence officials, media executives and journalists are also on the list.