'A badge of honour': B.C. premier among dozens of Canadians sanctioned by Russia
British Columbia Premier John Horgan was named among dozens of Canadian officials and journalists sanctioned by Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday.
The move comes two days after Canada announced a new round of sanctions against close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin, including his two daughters.
The list of 61 Canadians newly banned from entering Russia includes the premiers of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as the commanders of Canada's navy, air force, army and special operations forces.
Horgan says he considers his inclusion on the list "a badge of honour, not for myself but for British Columbia."
"The fact that we were able to catch the attention of a brutal dictator in the middle of an illegal invasion of a neighbour tells me that British Columbians stood up immediately and said we are going boycott Russian products, we are going to stand up and open our hearts and our homes to the Ukrainian people," Horgan said during a news conference Thursday.
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem and the prime minister's chief of staff Katie Telford are also on the sanctioned list.
The Russian foreign ministry says the new round of sanctions target those "directly involved in the development, substantiation and implementation of the Russophobic course of the ruling regime in Canada," adding they "are indefinitely prohibited from entering the Russian Federation."
The sanctions also apply to Canadian journalists, namely Globe and Mail correspondent Mark MacKinnon and National Post columnist John Ivison, as well as CTV News vice-president Michael Melling.
In response, Horgan said a visit to Russia is no longer on his "bucket list, if it ever was."
"If the Russians don't want me to visit, I had no plans to go," the premier said.
Horgan was among the first Canadian leaders to publicly condemn Russia's initial invasion of Ukraine in February, saying his government would stand with Ottawa in imposing sanctions against the country and would welcome Ukrainian refugees to B.C.
Russia had already banned many prominent Canadians from entering the country, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, members of his cabinet and MPs from other parties.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.