The federal government announced that in an effort to “assist with the depletion [Russian] President Vladimir Putin’s war chest’ and to limit Russia’s ability to wage war in Ukraine, Canada will expand existing sanctions on the country’s oil, gas and chemical industries to include industrial production. A statement released by Global Affairs Canada says the new measures will prohibit Canadian services from contributing to the production of goods produced by these sectors. “Canada steadfastly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Putin’s unjustified war has affected millions in Ukraine and around the world. That’s why we will continue to target the coffers of the Russian regime,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolie. . “Canada will not bow to pressure from the Russian regime.” Combined, oil, gas, chemicals and manufacturing make up more than 50 percent of Russia’s federal revenue, the statement said. Along with land transport and pipeline transport, the latest sanctions will include metal manufacturing, as well as transport, manufacturing of computers, electronic and electrical equipment and machinery. Canadian businesses will have 60 days to comply with the sanctions. The announcement comes a day after the federal government announced additional sanctions against Russian media outlets, as well as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Vladimir Mikhailovich Gudiayev, who spoke favorably of Putin’s war in Ukraine. As of July 7, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,600 individuals and organizations in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus since 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea, including more than 1,150 since the invasion of Ukraine in February, it says Global Affairs Canada. With files from The Canadian Press
