‘Russia feels stung’: Northern MPs respond to travel ban

Key takeaways: 

• Yukon and N.W.T. MP were prohibited from traveling to Russia.
• Yukon MP Brendan Hanley and N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod are restricted from traveling to Russia and hundreds of other politicians and leaders of different Ukrainian-Canadian Groups. 

A pair of Liberal M.P.s in the North have been banned from traveling to Russia: 

A couple of Liberal M.P.s in the North have been banned from traveling to Russia after being called to what the Russian foreign ministry names its “black list.” 

Yukon MP Brendan Hanley and N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod are on the list and hundreds of other names, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his foreign matters and defense ministers and other federal party leaders M.P.s from all groups, and leaders of different Ukrainian-Canadian Groups. 

Nevertheless, Nunavut’s NDP MP, Lori Idlout, has not been barred from traveling to Russia.

“I think that Russia feels pricked,” said Hanley, stating that Canada’s backing for Ukraine amid an unprovoked Russian invasion has been early, solid and constant. “There likely aren’t numerous ways for Russia to bite back, and this was one of them to lash out at Parliamentarians.”

Also read: No-show medical travelers cost Nunavut taxpayers $1M a year

McLeod stated it was “fascinating” that he was on the list. “I’m not a world traveler,” he said. “I think I was put on the list because I’m an M.P.” 

Ukraine president’s request to Ottawa

Hanley was in Ottawa for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s talk to Canada on Tuesday. 

He said the black list might have to do with the help that was “so visual and so loud” from the House of Commons that day.

“Most M.P.s were there in person, plus the senators were there on the floor of the House of Commons. The hall was nearly full,” said Hanley. “It was pretty awesome to be there.”

Source – cbc.ca