'Badge of honour': Kamloops, Okanagan MPs sanctioned by Russia

Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Frank Caputo was surprised but proud to be added to a new batch of sanctions from the Russian government. "I guess nothing should surprise me from this regime," the Caputo told iNFOnews.ca today, March 15. A member of his staff sent him an image of the...

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'Badge of honour': Kamloops, Okanagan MPs sanctioned by Russia

Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Frank Caputo was surprised but proud to be added to a new batch of sanctions from the Russian government.

"I guess nothing should surprise me from this regime," the Caputo told iNFOnews.ca today, March 15.

A member of his staff sent him an image of the list where his name is included among more than 300 other Canadians sanctioned by the Putin government. He called the sanction a "badge of honour" for standing in defence of freedom.

Russia has banned hundreds of Canadian citizens from entering the country in a sweeping sanction against individuals, many of whom are politicians.

READ MORE: Imagine the war in your cities, Zelenskyy says as he pleads for more help from Canada

In the list of 313 Canadians, all five Thompson-Okanagan MPs are now banned from entering Russia, which includes Caputo, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray, North Okanagan-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold, Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas and South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings.

 

 

Gray responded on social media, also calling it a "badge of honour."

The Russian government issued what it called the "black list" today in response to sanctions from the Canadian government.

"This step is forced and taken in response to the outrageous hostility of the current Canadian regime, which has tested our patience for so long. 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," a statement paired with the sanction list reads, as translated from Russian with Google Translate.

READ MORE: Ukraine: Tone improves in Russia talks even as Kyiv is hit

Ukrainian president Vlodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the Canadian House of Commons today explaining the current state of the Russian invasion and pleading for assistance.

"The situation is troubling. It is dire," Caputo said.

READ MORE: Kelowna man defending military units in Ukraine

While Zelenskyy asked the Canadian government to support a no-fly zone in the region, NATO allies have so far resisted that plea, fearing an escalation after involving itself in the conflict.

Caputo does not suggest Canada support a no-fly zone, but he said it might be time for Canada to have a more "active discussion" in humanitarian efforts for the invaded country.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is in its 20th day, and the United Nations has confirmed 700 people have died. Zelenskyy told the House of Commons 97 of those deaths were children.

 

 

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