02 JUNE 2015 – OTTAWA.. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress welcomed 89 European Union citizens into the honour roll of people banned by the Russian Federation.
“I would like to acknowledge and welcome the most recent additions to Putin’s persona non grata list,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod. “To be banned from Russia by the autocratic and imperialist regime of Vladimir Putin for speaking out against Russia’s aggression is surely a badge of honour, one which I wear with pride.”
The thirteen Canadians banned from Russia on March 24, 2014 are: Hon Andrew Scheer, MP; Hon. Peter Van Loan, PC, MP; Ted Opitz, MP; Dean Allison, MP; James Bezan, MP; Paul Dewar, MP; Hon. Irwin Cotler, MP; Chrystia Freeland, MP; and Senator Raynell Andreychuk. Also sanctioned were public servants Wayne Wouters, Christine Hogan, and Jean-Francois Tremblay; and Paul Grod, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
“Given that these Europeans will not be able to summer in sunny Siberia, we welcome them to visit Canada instead and see Canada’s majestic natural beauty: Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, the Muskokas or any number of Canada’s wondrous natural attractions,” said Grod.
A comprehensive list without the 89 Europeans is available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_individuals_sanctioned_during_the_Ukrainian_crisis
