Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will continue to turn the screws on Russia a month after they invaded Ukraine. He announced new measures at the end of his short trip to Brussels where he addressed European Parliament yesterday and leaders from the NATO military alliance and the G7 today (Thurs).

Trudeau says Canada is increasing sanctions by adding 160 members of the Russian Federation Council, who facilitated and enabled this unjustified invasion, which brings the total of individuals connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin sanctioned by Canada to 964. In the coming days, there will be new prohibitions on the export of certain goods and technologies to Russia, which Trudeau says is to undermine and erode the capabilities of the Russian military.

He added that the remaining $50-million from Canada’s $100-million contribution for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries will be divided between the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, the UN Refugee Agency, the Canadian Red Cross and the organization People in Need, to provide immediate assistance where it is needed most. The Prime Minister also announced a total of $4.8-million for UNESCO to protect Ukraine’s cultural and heritage sites. (with files from CJGX)