Hamilton philanthropist banned from Russia in latest round of sanctions

A Hamilton philanthropist has been named among a litany of Canadians that have been indefinitely prohibited" from entering Russia.

Released Thursday by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the 61-person list includes Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor John Tory as well as other government officials, active and retired military personnel and members of the media.

Those on the list are alleged to have been directly involved in the development, substantiation and implementation of the Russophobic course of the ruling regime in Canada" amid the war in Ukraine.

Making the list is Chris Ecklund, a Hamilton-born businessperson and philanthropist behind a website called Fight For Ukraine, which Russia described as a tool used for recruiting Canadian citizens as mercenaries for the Ukrainian Armed Forces."

Speaking to The Spectator on Thursday, Ecklund rebuked the descriptor as fake news" produced by the Russian propaganda machine," while reiterating that the website is not a recruiting tool."

The 59-year-old launched the website not long after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put a call out for foreign fighters.

Ecklund also previously told The Spectator that the website's aim was to provide information and separate the would-be volunteers who might bring some useful skills from the guys who want to play Johnny Rambo."

However, Ecklund said it was not surprising" to see his name on the list issued by President Vladimir Putin's regime.

It was kind of expected," he said, noting that it won't effect his work moving forward. And it is what it is."

Other names on the list

Thursday's list included Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem, Vice-Admiral Craig Baines, who is commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, the prime minister's chief of staff Katie Telford and former senator Romeo Dallaire.

The sanctions also target journalists from both the Globe and Mail and the National Post, as well as the editor-in-chief of the Globe and the president and CEO of CBC.

-With files from The Canadian Press

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com