Canada announces new sanctions against Russia targeting disinformation

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Friday announced new sanctions against Russian agents and organizations, with a focus on those involved in Russian disinformation efforts.

Canada is imposing sanctions on 29 agents and 15 Russian government-owned or controlled entities involved in spreading Russian propaganda regarding the war in Ukraine, Global Affairs said in a news release.

Among those sanctioned is Sumbatovich Gasparyan, the head of the international department of the Russian-funded television channel RT.

Joly made the announcement while attending the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

« The Russian propaganda machine must answer for its lies. Canada is committed to countering disinformation where and when it is found, » Joly said in the statement.

“Today we make it clear to those who peddle deceit: you will be held accountable. Canada stands with Ukraine.

Canada has now sanctioned over 1,600 Russian agents or entities in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sanctions prevent Canadians from dealing with listed individuals, making goods available to them, or providing them with financial services, among other things.

The government has also announced that the import of certain gold products from Russia is now prohibited.

Products include raw gold, semi-finished gold, gold powder, monetary gold and gold jewelry.

The statement highlighted other Canadian government efforts to counter Kremlin propaganda, including a website focused on countering Russian misrepresentations regarding the war in Ukraine.

« Canada will continue to use this platform to shed light on how the Russian regime is using lies to justify its illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, » the statement said.