Newmarket-Aurora MP Tony Van Bynen said it came as a surprise when his name appeared as one of 313 Canadians blacklisted by Russia.
The list released by the Russian foreign ministry March 15 targets hundreds of Canadian politicians and bars them from entering the country, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of National Defense Anita Anand. The black list, which also includes most MPs, was released by Russia on the same morning that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talked to the Canadian Parliament.
“I’m a bit surprised that such a global and national issue would get so granular,” Van Bynen said. “I guess being a member of Parliament, you have the responsibility and the consequences of the decisions you make. I’m not set back by it at all.”
Van Bynen said he is not well versed in the tactics of the conflict, but added he is glad to trust that to internationally experienced ministers in the cabinet.
“I acknowledge that these are important decisions that are made by ministers,” he said. “This is a global issue, and it’s great to see the way that we’re collaborating (as) allies.”
He said he has no intentions of travelling to Russia.
"I don't know how long the ban is in place," he said. "But if it's a consequence of demonstrating our support for Ukraine, it's a consequence I'm happy to accept."
In addition to Canada’s MPs, the list released by the Russian Foreign Ministry includes James Temerty, founder of the Temerty Foundation, which is a charity supporting health, humanitarian aid, anti-human trafficking initiatives, education and life-skills development primarily for children in Ukraine.
Journalist and documentary filmmaker Marcus Kolga, who is also a leading Canadian expert on Russian and Central and Eastern European issues, has been named on the blacklist. He is also known for spearheading Black Ribbon Day to mark the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact as a Canadian national day of remembrance for the European victims of Nazism and communism.
Board members and donors associated with a memorial to victims of communism (Tribute to Liberty) currently under construction in Ottawa have been included in the list of Canadians banned from Russia.
Members of the Canadian Ukrainian Congress have also been blacklisted.
Canada has sent military supplies to Ukraine, issued sanctions against Russia and closed Canadian airspace to Russian-owned aircraft.
Prior to Zelenskyy’s address to Parliament, Joly announced that Canada is sanctioning another 15 Russian politicians and military leaders.
There are now more than 780 individuals in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus on Canada's sanction list, and 203 entities including banks.
In his address to Parliament, Zelenskyy described a “dire” situation in Ukraine. He said current efforts with sanctions have not stopped the war and he repeated calls for NATO membership and a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace.
“It was a very powerful and inspiring experience to be in the House (of Commons) at the time,” Van Bynen said. “Some of the benefits of being a member of Parliament, but that comes with the accountability.”
- With files from Maija Hoggett
