OTTAWA-
Federal Conservatives and the President of the Congress of Ukrainian Canadians are blasting Ottawa’s decision to authorize the delivery of equipment from a Russia-Europe gas pipeline to Germany.
Canada’s Minister of Natural Services, Jonathan Wilkinson, announced on social media that the turbines of the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline – which supplies natural gas from Russia to Germany – which had been sent to Montreal for planned repairs would be allowed to be returned.
Wilkinson said turbine maker Siemens Canada would be granted a “time-limited and revocable permit” to return the equipment.
He said the delivery was necessary to support “Europe’s ability to access reliable and affordable energy” as it tries to move away from reliance on Russian oil and gas.
Alexandra Chyczij, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, expressed disappointment with Canada’s decision, saying Ottawa bows to Russian threats to cut off gas supplies by meeting Germany’s demand.
Several Tory MPs also released a statement saying allowing the equipment to return circumvents sanctions Canada has imposed on Russia.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 10, 2022.
— With files from the Associated Press