Russian Invasion of Ukraine
LAST UPDATED: March 9 — 21:30
While brave Ukrainian civilians gamely learn how to make Molotov cocktails to defend their homes, one of the world’s most brutal war machines is bombarding them. Not content to terrorize his own people, President Vladimir Putin is seeking to impose his tyranny on his democratic freedom-loving neighbours in Ukraine.
There are moments in history when the great struggle between freedom and tyranny comes down to one fight in one place, which is waged for all humanity. In 1863, that place was Gettysburg. In 1940, it was the skies above Britain. Today, in 2022, it is Kyiv.
Democracies everywhere are standing together, and Canada will continue to stand united with Ukraine. Слава Україні.
Weapons & Military Support
On March 9, Canada announced that we will provide Ukraine with an additional $50 million in lethal & non-lethal military aid, including Canadian-made cameras used in military drones and other specialized equipment.
On March 3, Canada sent up to 4,500 M72 light anti-tank rocket weapons, 7,500 hand grenades, and funding for modern satellite imagery to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces track the movements of Russian forces.
On March 1, Canada sent 1,600 fragmentation vests and 400,000 individual meal kits, as requested by Ukraine.
On February 28, Canada supplied Ukraine with anti-tank weapon systems and upgraded ammunition. Canada will be sending approximately 100 Carl-Gustaf anti-tank weapons system launchers and 2,000 rockets for the Ukrainian army to use.
On February 27, Canada supplied an additional $25 million worth of protective equipment to Ukraine, including helmets, body armour, gas masks and night vision gear. We are coordinating with Poland to ensure the equipment is transported safely to Ukraine.
On February 22, Canada sent additional military contributions to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) through Operation REASSURANCE, including up to an additional 460 personnel to the approximately 800 currently deployed in Europe in support of NATO; and authorized approximately 3,400 Canadian Armed Forces personnel across all branches of the service to deploy to the NATO Response Force should they be required by NATO.
On February 14, Canada committed a $500-million loan to Ukraine to ensure the country’s economic stability and allow Ukraine to purchase more weapons and aid.
On February 14, Canada also supplied Ukraine with $7.8 million worth of lethal equipment and ammunition, including machine guns, hand pistols, and carbines.
On February 3, Canada provided Ukraine with a shipment of non-lethal aid: body armour and load carriage kits, binoculars, laser rangefinders, metal detectors and spotting scopes.
Sanctions & Economic Retaliation
The Russian government is now experiencing the severity of our coordinated sanctions. The Russian ruble has plunged to record lows. The Russian stock market has been forced to close. These measures have cut Russia off financially from the western world, and will render useless much of the war chest of reserves that Vladimir Putin has amassed at his Central Bank.
Below are the details of our sanctions, imposed in coordination with our allies:
Sanctions on LPR and DPR officials: On April 27th, the Canadian government placed sanctions on 11 senior officials and 192 other members of the People’s Councils of the so-called Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics who are complicit in the Russian regime’s ongoing violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Removing Most Favoured Nation Status: Canada has revoked Russia and Belarus’s Most Favored Nation status as a trading partner. Goods from Russia and Belarus will now be subjected to a 35% tariff when imported into Canada. (The only other country that does not enjoy the most favored nation status with Canada is North Korea.)
Reviewing Russian Assets in Canada: Canada is reviewing holdings of Russian oligarchs and Russian companies inside Canada.
Sanctioning the Russian Central Bank: All Canadian financial institutions are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the Russian Central Bank. This prevents Russia from deploying its international currency reserves and severely restricts Russia’s ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine. This is the first time a central bank of a G20 country has been sanctioned in this way.
Removing Russia from the SWIFT Payment System: Many Russian banks have been banned from the SWIFT payment system. (SWIFT supports daily financial transactions of countless billions of dollars across more than 11,000 banks and other global financial institutions. There is no practical alternative to SWIFT for most of these banks.)
The removal of these Russian banks from SWIFT will make it extremely difficult for Canadian banks to transact with these Russian institutions or transact with Russian counterparties whose accounts are held by these institutions. As well, this measure will also make it harder for Russia to sell exports — including oil and gas.
Canada was a leading supporter of the push to remove Russia from the SWIFT payment messaging system. After this measure was implemented, the ruble fell about 30 per cent against the dollar — making it worth less than one U.S. cent.
Banned Imports of Russian Oil: Canada has banned all imports of Russian crude oil.
Banning Canadian Exports to Russia: Canada has blocked exports to Russia, denied any new applications for export permits to Russia, and cancelled any existing valid permits for exports to Russia. This is expected to largely impact companies in the aerospace, technology, and minerals sectors.
Sanctioning Belarus: Canada has leveled sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his regime for their role in attacking Ukraine. Belarus serves as a launch pad for Russian forces and missiles as Russia invade Ukraine.
Sanctions Against Putin & the Russian Security Council: Canada has sanctioned members of the Russian Security Council, including Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu, Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko, and Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.
Sanctions Against Russian Duma: Canada has imposed sanctions against 351 members of the State Duma involved in recognition of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as so-called “independent states”.
Sanctions Against Banks & Putin Oligarchs: Canada has sanctioned 31 Russians and 27 entities.
These sanctions target Russian oligarchs who have been able to become extremely rich, enjoying all of the pleasures of Western democracies, while aiding and abetting Vladimir Putin. Among those on the sanctions list is:
Dmitry Utkin: a former Russian special forces officer who allegedly founded the Wagner Group, a private military contractor accused of helping Moscow.
The Wagner Group: The Russian government uses Wagner and other private military companies to be useful as a way to extend its influence overseas without the visibility and intrusiveness of state military forces.
Yevgeny Prigozhin: head of the Internet Research Agency (IRA), described by some as an online foreign-influence farm. Prigozhin is wanted by the FBI for allegedly overseeing “political and electoral interference operations” in the U.S. He allegedly oversaw the IRA’s operations in the U.S. which included the purchase of American computer server space, the creation of hundreds of fictitious online personas, and the use of stolen identities, according to the FBI.
Sergei Ivanov: chief executive of the Russian state-owned diamond mining company Alrosa and a board member of Gazprombank.
Boris Rotenberg: a co-owner of the SGM group, the largest construction firm for gas pipelines in Russia.
Currently, the list of sanctioned individuals includes 31 individuals who are key members of President Putin’s inner circle, as well as four Ukrainian individuals implicated in the spread of pro-Russian disinformation.
Banning Canadian Dealings with Russian Banks: Additionally, Canadians and persons in Canada are prohibited from dealing with 27 Russian financial institutions, including:
Sberbank
VTB
Corporation Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs Vnesheconombank (VEB)
Promsvyazbank Public Joint Stock Company (PSB)
Russian Direct Investment Fund
and others.
Sanctions Against DPR and LPR: Canada has prohibited Canadians from buying Russian sovereign debt or having had any financial dealings in the separatist-controlled regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Eastern Ukraine. This includes a prohibition on:
Dealing in any property located in these regions that is owned, held or controlled by the region or a person in these regions;
Importing, purchasing, acquiring or exporting goods to or from these regions; or
Providing financial or any other services related to dealings in property in these regions. It is further prohibited to cause, facilitate, assist or intend to cause, facilitate or assist in any such activities.
Refugees & Pathways to Immigration
Canada started preparing more than a month ago to respond to a potential influx of Ukrainians seeking to come to Canada.
NEW: Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel: We are creating the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, available for individuals fleeing Ukraine. A fast and straightforward way for Ukrainians to come to Canada quickly, this will eliminate most of the normal visa requirements.
All Ukrainian nationals will be able to apply through this new path, and pending background and security screening, will be able to stay in Canada for up to 2 years. There is no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can apply.
Canada aims to have the Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Authorization open for applications in two weeks. In the interim, IRCC continues to prioritize applications from Ukrainians in existing programs.
NEW: Why not allow visa-free travel? The Authorization for Emergency Travel program is the fastest, safest and easiest way to allow Ukrainians to flee. It would have been too cumbersome to eliminate a visa requirement entirely — requiring regulatory changes and changes to IT systems in the immigration department and the airline travel sector — which would have taken 12-14 weeks.
As well, our government took advice from leaders in the Ukrainian-Canadian community that visa-free access would have opened the door for other bad actors who “might slip through the cracks,” including those who fought in Putin’s army in the eastern separatist regions or are collaborators with Russian troops in this invasion.
Immigration Measures: In addition to prioritizing applications, IRCC is launching a package of new immigration measures, including the following:
Establishing a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries that will be available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. In addition, clients can now add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC Web form with their enquiry and their email will be prioritized.
Implementing urgent processing of travel documents, including issuing single-journey travel documents for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have valid passports.
Updating a Web page to provide current information on measures; this page will include content in Ukrainian for ease of reference.
Ensuring that Ukrainians currently in Canada are able to extend their stay or stay longer in Canada by prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits, and extending a policy that allows individuals to apply for a work permit from within Canada. This policy would allow temporary residents who receive a job offer to remain in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed.
NEW: Implementing an exemption to allow unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Ukrainian nationals who hold a temporary resident visa or permit to enter Canada. This also applies to people who are vaccinated with vaccines not currently recognized by Canada. These individuals will be subject to all other public health requirements, to protect the health of Canadians.
NEW: Waiving fees, retroactive to February 22, 2022, for certain travel and immigration documents. These include Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proofs of citizenship, visitor visas, as well as work and study permits.
NEW: All Ukrainians who come to Canada as part of these measures will be eligible to apply for open work permits, making it easier for employers to quickly hire Ukrainian nationals. IRCC will issue open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home, so they can stay longer if they wish.
Further details will be made available in the coming weeks as these measures launch.
IRCC has also taken steps to increase operational readiness in the region, including relocating staff, moving additional supplies and equipment, such as mobile biometric collection kits, in anticipation of an increased volume of requests, and adjusting operations in offices across our global network to ensure service continuity for Ukraine. Online options are available for most applications.
For more information:
Immigration measures for people affected by the situation in Ukraine
Backgrounder – Additional Immigration Support for Those Affected by the Situation in Ukraine (available in Ukrainian)
Approved Applications: Canada has approved 6,131 applications from Ukrainians seeking to come to Canada. We have also installed extra immigration resources in offices in Poland, Austria and Romania to improve capacity to handle the influx of applications to come to Canada.
The Minister of Immigration has also been speaking to members of the Ukrainian Canadian community, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and businesses about how best to welcome people to the safety of Canada.
Work Permits for Ukrainians in Canada: For Ukrainians who are already in Canada on work, visitor and student permits and cannot return home, our government has extended temporary status.
International Resettlement Efforts: Canada has offered $100-million in new humanitarian help to the United Nations to help assist operations in Ukraine and refugees in neighbouring nations.
Other Retaliatory Measures Taken
Pursuing War Crimes Trial at the International Criminal Court: Canada has petitioned the International Criminal Court to speed up its investigation into Russia for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC has opened an investigation to investigate the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia.
Boycotting Russian Presence at UN Human Rights Council: Canada’s diplomats walked out during Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s speech at the United Nations Human Rights Council. “Minister Lavrov was being broadcast and giving his version, which is false about what is happening in Ukraine,” said Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly. We won’t be lied to.
Removing Russia Today from Canadian Airwaves: Canada has asked the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to review removing Russia’s state-sponsored network, Russia Today, from Canadian airways.
In Russia, President Putin continues to block independent media and uses Russia Today and other media controlled by the state to propagate falsities and propaganda about his unjustified war. We will not allow such disinformation to spread in Canada.
Rogers, Bell and Shaw have voluntarily stopped carrying Russia Today in their TV channel lineups.
Withdrawing from the Arctic Council: Canada, the United States, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland are boycotting the work of the Arctic Council. The council is the main international body that brings together all northern nations to discuss environment and development issues. The Arctic Council is currently led by Russia.
Banning Russian-operated Flights from Canadian Airspace: Canada has banned Russian aircraft and aircraft operators from entering its airspace.
Banning Russian Ships from Canadian Waters: Canada has banned Russian-owned or registered ships from Canadian waters and from our ports.
Waiving Long-Distance Charges for Ukraine: Several Canadian phone providers — including Rogers and Bell — are waiving long-distance and text charges for customers looking to connect with people in Ukraine.
Rogers and and Fido will set aside long-distance call and text charges, as well as roaming fees for clients in Ukraine, until the end of March.
Telus is waiving all roaming charges for calls, text, and data overages for customers in Ukraine, and long distance and SMS fees for those in Canada reaching out to friends and family there.
In launching this war, President Putin attacked the values and the international rules-based order which are the foundation of all the democracies of the world. And in doing so, he and his hangers-on have forfeited the right to partake in the global prosperity which we, the world’s democracies, have built together.
To Canada’s Russian community, and the Russian people abroad, let me also be very clear: Our quarrel is not with the Russian people – it is with President Putin and those around him who have made the choice to threaten a sovereign democracy.
History tells us that we cannot stand by as a great power attempts to redraw borders and conquer its neighbours. And this war in Ukraine is a test of our resolve.
The world’s autocrats are watching today to see if our alliance of democracies has the will and the capacity to stand up for the rules-based international order.
Dictators, very much including the Kremlin’s tyrant, often fail to understand democracies. We can seem, to them, to be weak and divided, compared to the servile conformity that they impose on their societies at the barrel of a gun. But our very openness to debate and dispute means that once we are agreed on a course of action, we are strong and we are united.
