Conservative MP Rick Perkins speaking in the House of Commons. Photo: Office of Rick Perkins.
Russian officials barred 313 Canadians from entering their country this week, in response to Canada’s opposition to their invasion of Ukraine.
Amongst those banned was Conservative MP Rick Perkins who represents the riding of South Shore- St. Margarets who says the ban is an indication they are doing the right thing. “We are standing up for freedom and democracy, so if Vladimir Putin wants to ban me from his country I will wear that badge proudly,” Perkins said.
The ban came just shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the House of Commons where he asked for more support from Canada.
Perkins says he and his party are pursuing more robust sanctions, “We’d like to see more targeted sanctions that will actually impact the Russian government’s ability to continue this invasion,”.
Weighing in on the proposed no-fly zone Ukraine has been asking NATO to impose Perkins says his party supports shutting down certain areas, “Following Zelensky’s speech we believe that NATO should be providing some no-fly zones and corridors in areas where refugees are concentrated,”.
Most Western governments have been sheepish in supporting a NATO no-fly zone as Russian officials have claimed doing so would be considered an act of war and escalate the conflict. In remarks made on Wednesday by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, he said Canada will do more to support Ukraine but went short of supporting a no-fly zone.
