'Russia feels stung': Northern MPs react to travel ban

A pair of Liberal MPs in the North have been barred from travelling to Russia, after being named to what the Russian foreign ministry calls its "black list." 

Yukon MP Brendan Hanley and N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod are on the list along with hundreds of other names, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his foreign affairs and defence ministers, other federal party leaders, MPs from all parties, and leaders of various Ukrainian-Canadian Groups. 

Nunavut's NDP MP Lori Idlout, however, has not been banned from travelling to Russia.

"I think that Russia feels stung," said Hanley, noting that Canada's support for Ukraine amid an unprovoked Russian attack has been early, strong and consistent. "There probably aren't that many ways for Russia to bite back, and this was obviously one of them, to kind of lash out at Parliamentarians."

McLeod said it was "interesting" that he was on the list. "I'm not a world traveller," he noted. "I think I was put on the list because of the fact I'm an MP." 

Hanley was in Ottawa for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to Canada on Tuesday. 

He said the black list may have to do with support that was "so visible and so loud" from the House of Commons that day.

"Most MPs were there in person, plus the senators were there on the floor of the House of Commons. The gallery was almost full,"  said Hanley. "It was pretty amazing to be there."

McLeod attended Zelensky's address virtually from his home in Fort Providence, N.W.T. and said it "really struck a chord with all of us." 

Speaking to Parliament via video link, Zelensky spoke about the suffering in the Ukraine and said that 97 children had been killed since the war began. His speech was laced with references to Canadian cities and landmarks.

Hanley said it's hard to say the world is doing enough for Ukraine, after seeing devastation unfolding there every day. 

Zelensky repeated his calls for Western nations to establish a no-fly zone over his country to block the Russian airstrikes that have been killing civilians. Hanley said that decision, which risks expanding the conflict, is ultimately NATO's.

McLeod, meanwhile, wants to see more done to make sure that Ukrainians have safe passage out of their country.

"There has to be an effort put in so those that are trying to leave — and many are — they're protected... especially if it's women and children."