Simcoe North MP Adam Chambers has been blacklisted by the Russian Federation.
Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry released the names of 313 Canadians banned from entering the country. The list includes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, as well as most MPs.
The list was released the same morning that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an impassioned speech to Canadian Parliament.
Chambers is one of several local MPs on the list. He is joined by Doug Shipley, the MP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte, John Brassard, the MP for Barrie-Innisfil and Simcoe-Grey MP Terry Dowdall.
"If the Russian Federation thinks intimidation tactics like this will change our resolve," they are "sorely mistaken," Chambers told OrilliaMatters.
"I'm happy that Parliament is united with the Ukrainian people as they defend freedom and democracy," said Chambers. "Being labelled an enemy of Vladimir Putin as he commits war crimes in Ukraine is a point of pride."
The rookie MP said it was gratifying to see all parties united in support of the people of Ukraine. He said members of all parties are behind Trudeau and the federal government's sanctions against Russia.
"The Prime Minister has my full support and, to be frank, has my support to go even further," Chambers said. "This is not a partisan issue, it's a Team Canada issue."
Chambers called the Ukrainian President's (virtual) address to Parliament an "historic moment" and said he hopes it resonates with those of Ukrainian descent who live in Canada.
"I think it's a wonderful show of friendship," said Chambers, noting Canada has the highest population of Ukraines outside of the country.
He lauded Zelenskyy, who brought a "sobering" message to Canada's Parliamentarians.
"He is a modern-day living hero," Chambers said of Zelenskyy, whom he lauded for opting not to flee, but rather to stand, side by side with his citizens, against Russia's aggression.
"It was important for us to hear directly from him today," Chambers said.
In addition to Canada’s MPs, the list released by the Russian Foreign Ministry today includes James Temerty, founder of the Temerty Foundation, which is a charity supporting health, humanitarian aid, anti-human trafficking initiatives, education, and life-skills development primarily for children in Ukraine.
Journalist and documentary filmmaker, Marcus Kolga, who is also a leading Canadian expert on Russian and Central and Eastern European issues, has been named on the blacklist. He is also known for spearheading Black Ribbon Day to mark the anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact as a Canadian national day of remembrance for the European victims of Nazism and communism.
Board members and donors associated with a memorial to victims of communism (Tribute to Liberty) currently under construction in Ottawa have been included in the list of Canadians banned from Russia.
Members of the Canadian Ukrainian Congress have also been blacklisted.
Canada has sent military supplies to Ukraine, issued sanctions against Russia and closed Canadian airspace to Russian-owned aircraft.
Prior to Zelenskyy’s address to Parliament this morning, Joly announced that Canada is sanctioning another 15 Russian politicians and military leaders.
There are now more than 780 individuals in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus on Canada's sanction list, and 203 entities including banks.
- With files from Maija Hoggett and Dave Dawson
