All four Richmond MLAs have appeared on a new Russian blacklist of 333 “prominent” Canadians who’ve been permanently banned from entering that country.
The statement released Wednesday by Russia’s foreign ministry listed politicians from across Canada and a number of prominent Olympians.
The BC NDP’s Richmond-Steveston MLA Kelly Greene, Richmond South-Centre’s Henry Yao and Richmond-Queensborough’s Aman Singh, as well as the BC Liberal’s Richmond North-Centre MLA Teresa Wat are all on the list.
The Russian government, in its statement, made it clear that the list was made in direct retaliation for Canada’s restrictions on Russia in view of its ongoing invasion and subsequent war with Ukraine.
“In view of the anti-Russian sanctions periodically imposed by the Trudeau regime against officials, politicians, experts, journalists, cultural figures and athletes from Russia, as well as anyone who does not suit the Ottawa ‘mainstream’ and the neo-Nazi authorities supported by it in Kiev, entry into the Russian Federation closes permanently to 333 Canadian citizens,” read the statement.
Canadians "involved in the spread of Russophobia"
It added that the people on the list have been “involved in the spread of rabid Russophobia in the country. This measure is also intended to encourage those on the black list to change their behavior.”
Also on the list is the likes of Canada's Governor General Mary Simon, more than 250 members of regional legislative assemblies and scores of Canadian athletes who have publicly supported a ban on Russian athletes competing at the 2024 Olympics, such as ice dancer Tessa Virtue and hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser.
The Richmond News reached out to all four local MLAs for comment. The three NDP MLAs declined.
However, Yao tweeted that he "recently learned that I am joining a long list of individuals sanctioned by Putin & his Regime. It does not impact my life or ability to continue serving my constituents. I firmly stand with peace-loving BCians against Putin’s unprovoked invasion of the Ukraine & her citizens."
