5.2°C Vancouver 5.2°C Vancouver
Nov 4, 2026 1:17 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championship in Canada next month.
Speaking to reporters Thursday evening in Antigua, Carney said that as long as the war in Ukraine continues, Russian and Belarusian players will not be granted visas to represent their countries in Canada.
The decision comes following a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which called for Russia's return to International Ice Hockey Federation competitions.
The Canadian government said its position is clear and that it will restrict entry to players seeking to represent Russia.
Several European hockey federations, including those of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Latvia, have also firmly refused to play against Russia.
The prestigious tournament is scheduled to begin on December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
