Owners of a government-subsidized mill in Regina are now making steel for Russian strongman Vladimir Putin’s war machine, the Commons heard Wednesday..The mill was toured by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2018..A Liberal announcement on new general sanctions against Russian investors was abruptly postponed Wednesday..“Putin is causing and committing war crimes right across Ukraine and Canada has yet to sanction some of his closest friends and advisors,” said Conservative MP James Bezan (Selkirk-Interlake, Man.)..“Under parliamentary privilege, I am going to name a couple of them.”.Bezan named Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich — being forced to sell the Chelsea soccer team in London because of the Ukraine invasion by Russia — as a leading shareholder in steelmaker Evraz..Its Canadian subsidiary operates mills in Regina, Calgary, Red Deer and Camrose..The Department of Industry since 2018 has awarded Evraz $80 million in grants to upgrade its plants..The company is “supplying steel to build Russian tanks,” said Bezan..“When will the Prime Minister finally sanction Russian oligarchs for supporting Putin’s war machine?”.“We continue to look for more people to sanction,” replied Trudeau..“We continue to look for next steps. We will take more steps.”.Bezan also named Konstantin Babkin, Russian director of a Manitoba-based manufacturer of Versatile tractors and Farm King augers, mowers and other implements..Publicly-traded Buhler Industries operates farm equipment factories in Winnipeg and Morden, Man. The company since 2013 has received $482,365 in grants from the National Research Council..Trade Minister Mary Ng told reporters that the cabinet “will have more to say as the days evolve” on sanctions against Russian investors in Canada..The Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association has chapters in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal..“There may be some impacts. We will be working with Canadian businesses and the Canadian public on that,” said Ng..“Do you have concerns with these sanctions that there will be pushback?” asked a reporter..“What you’ve seen our government doing is standing with Ukraine,” replied Ng..Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland abruptly cancelled a press briefing on new sanctions. The announcement was postponed to Thursday, said staff..Freeland on Monday said cabinet was “looking carefully at the whole names of all Russian oligarchs and Russian companies inside Canada.”
