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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.