Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada blamed the opposition Conservative Party for voting against his government’s bill to recognize the annexation of Crimea by Russia, saying it was due to their alignment with the “right-wing, MAGA politics of the American Republican party”.
The bill, titled the “Magnitsky Act”, was an effort to impose sanctions on countries and individuals who violate human rights, and specifically mentioned Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean region in 2014.
The Canadian Conservative Party, led by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, argued that the bill was too broad and unnecessary, and would not help with diplomatic relations between Canada and Russia.
During the debate in Parliament, Trudeau accused the Conservatives of aligning themselves with President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” ideology, suggesting that it had influenced their vote.
“It is important to acknowledge the reality that there is a growing affinity between certain figures from the right-wing of Canadian politics and the MAGA politics of the American Republican party,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau also accused the Conservative Party of failing to support Canada’s long-standing ally, Ukraine, by not supporting the sanctions bill.
The Prime Minister said he remains committed to condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and would continue to support the government of Ukraine and maintain friendly relations.
