Canada imposes trade tariffs on Russia and Belarus

“We will do everything in our power to ensure that President Putin, his accomplices, those who allow him to act and the Russian economy pay the price for this serious error”, she insisted, referring to the invasion of Ukraine.

Defense Minister Anita Anand, for her part, indicated that Canada was improving its shipments of military equipment to Ukraine. It will dispatch more lethal aid, including up to 4500 rocket launchers and up to 7500 hand grenades.

Ottawa will also pay Ukraine $1 million to acquire modern high-resolution satellite imagery to help the Ukrainian military better track the movements of the Russian military.

“It is our duty to protect as many lives as possible with our NATO allies,” Minister Anand said.

Immigration: fewer obstacles for Ukrainians

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, who was also present at the press briefing, announced a new program aimed at facilitating the procedures for Ukrainians wishing to join Canada in their escape from the war.

Those who thus choose Canada as a refuge will be able to use the “Canada-Ukraine emergency travel authorization”, said the federal elected official.

This is “the fastest way to accept as many Ukrainians as possible,” assured Mr. Fraser, mentioning that Ottawa will not set a threshold for the number of Ukrainians who can be welcomed into the country.

“We are lifting most of the requirements that exist under traditional visas,” he added. A “simple” form will therefore have to be completed by those who want to take advantage of the new program and provide biometric data.

Asked why a complete visa waiver was not being done by Canada, the minister replied that it would mean that any Ukrainian citizen could come to the country. He claimed that a full lift also “opens the door for others who might fall through the cracks.”

The government is concerned about people “like those who supported and fought the Ukrainian army in the last eight years in the Donbass and others who work against Ukrainians and help Russian troops”.

The use of biometric measures will filter out these types of requests to protect Canada from this “security risk”, argued Mr. Fraser.

– With information from Michel S

by The Canadian Press

Canada imposes trade tariffs on Russia and Belarus

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