OTTAWA - Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez has asked arts bodies that get federal funding to suspend all cultural activities involving Russians linked to Vladimir Putin’s regime in protest of his invasion of Ukraine. Canadian Heritage has written to organizations receiving the department’s funding, asking them to cancel tours and co-productions bankrolled by Russian or Belarusian state organizations. But the letter makes it clear that ordinary Russians with no ties to Putin’s regime or to the Belarusian state will not be affected. “We urge you to do the same, and to suspend all activity involving the participation of Russian or Belarusian state organizations or their official representatives,” the letter said. ”This is not about unfairly targeting law-abiding and peace-loving citizens and permanent residents.“A number of arts organizations have cancelled events involving Russian performers since the invasion of Ukraine.

Source: thestar April 01, 2022 06:23 UTC