The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable, Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; and the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), issued the following statement:
"Since Russia's full-scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada has stood firmly with the people of Ukraine, committing more than $26 billion in assistance and imposing sanctions on more than 4,200 individuals, entities and vessels. As part of this broader response, Canada has also consistently opposed the participation of athletes representing Russia and Belarus under their national flags, symbols, colours or anthems in international sporting competitions. This opposition will continue.
"Canada's position has not changed because Russia's actions have not changed: as long as Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine with Belarus's complicity, neither Russia nor Belarus should be formally represented in international sport.
"As a leading host of international sporting events, Canada remains committed to ensuring that sport is not used to confer legitimacy, prestige or international standing on such states, particularly against the risk that Russian and Belarusian participation in international sporting events becomes more normalised.
"The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship will exercise her authorities under subsection 22.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to individually assess and prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada to compete under their national symbols.
"Canada will also continue to require that events receiving Government of Canada funding prohibit the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes under their national symbols.
"This measure is not directed at the Russian and Belarusian people. Rather, it is intended to prevent the governments of Russia and Belarus from using international sporting events hosted in Canada as platforms for state representation, political legitimacy and propaganda. Individual athletes competing in a neutral capacity will continue to be able to participate in international sport events hosted by Canada.
"Canada's position is unequivocal: as long as Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, there can be no return to business as usual. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine."
