The Tri-Cities’ two members of parliament are on the Russian “black list” for entering that country.
Liberal MP Ron McKinnon (Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam) and NDP MP Bonita Zarrillo (Port Moody-Coquitlam) are numbers 172 and 106, respectively, on Russia’s banned list for travel.
On Tuesday (March 15), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation named 313 Canadians — including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, other MPs and Natalie Yakskevich, chair of B.C.’s provincial council of the Canadian Ukrainian Congress — from crossing into Russia.
Also on Tuesday, Russia stopped U.S. President Joe Biden and other U.S. officials from visiting.
Its black list was issued after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the House of Commons virtually on Tuesday.
It also comes in response to Canada’s sanction list that includes 900 Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian politicians, military officers and high-profile business leaders.
“This step [of banning 313 Canadians] is forced and taken in response to the outrageous hostility of the current Canadian regime, which has tested our patience for so long,” the ministry’s news release states.
It continues: “Every Russophobic attack, be it attacks on Russian diplomatic missions, airspace closures, or Ottawa's actual severing of bilateral economic ties to the detriment of Canadian interests, will inevitably receive a decisive and not necessarily symmetrical rebuff.”
McKinnon told the Tri-City News on Wednesday that he condemns Russia’s “egregious attacks” on Ukraine.
“Their unprovoked actions are a clear violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and are contrary to Russia’s obligations under international law and the Charter of the United Nations,” he wrote in an email. “I am proud to stand in support of Ukraine along with other so many other Canadians.”
Zarrillo said the black list won't stop her or her NDP colleagues from speaking out against the war crimes happening in Ukraine.
"Yesterday, President Zelenskyy addressed Parliament and spoke about the children who have been killed and the millions of Ukrainians who have been displaced by violence," she wrote in an email to the Tri-City News.
"He also spoke of the historic, cultural landmarks and essential infrastructure, including hospitals and homes, that have been destroyed in his country. New Democrats, like many members from other parties, are united in the belief that the unprovoked attack against Ukraine is wrong and needs to end. That's why we have called for aggressive sanctions against the Russian oligarchs and officials who have assets in Canada and we're supportive of the aid that Canada continues to provide to Ukraine."
Zarrillo added, "We're also urging the Liberals to make it as easy as possible for Ukrainians fleeing violence to come to Canada."
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24.
