Canada bans import of Russian alcohol, luxury goods

It’s about to get a lot harder to find Russian alcohol on Canadian shelves.

Canada will no longer allow the importing of luxury goods from Russia, including alcohol, seafood and diamonds, the federal government announced Friday.

The announcement comes as part of a new package of sanctions laid in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new measures also prohibit the export of certain luxury goods from Canada to Russia, as well as new sanctions against 14 people, including Russian oligarchs, their families, and close associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.

“Canada, together with our allies, will be relentless in our efforts to maintain pressure on the Russian regime, until it is no longer able to wage war. We are unwavering in our support for Ukraine and its people,” Melanie Joly, minister of foreign affairs, said in a statement.

The new bans on exports from Canada to Russia include alcohol, tobacco, certain textile products and sportswear, shoes, luxury clothing and accessories, jewelry, kitchenware and art. According to the federal government, the newly restricted trade represented $75.7 million worth of goods in 2021.

Canada has sanctioned more than 1,000 individuals and entities from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus since the invasion began on Feb. 24.