Canada to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from World Junior hockey tournament

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will use its immigration authority to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering the country to compete at the World Junior hockey championship in Alberta this December. Speaking at the Commonwealth Summit in Antigua, Carney said the ban will remain while the war in Ukraine continues.

"While Russia and Belorussia are supporting this illegal, unjustified, horrific war in Ukraine, as long as that’s going on, there will be none of those athletes competing for their countries in Canada," Carley said when asked about visas for Russian players.

The federal government issued a statement confirming the measure, adding that it targets government use of sport for political legitimacy rather than the peoples of the two countries. Athletes competing as neutrals may still be permitted.

The decision follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that ordered Russia’s reinstatement to international hockey competition, including the upcoming tournament. Several European federations have already announced they will not face Russian teams.

Hockey Canada welcomed the government’s stance, and the Ukrainian foreign minister urged other hockey powers to deny visas to Russian players. Alberta officials said they will comply with the CAS ruling and focus on delivering a successful event.

The World Junior tournament is scheduled to begin on Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, with ten national teams currently slated to compete.