The two Canadian cable operators, Rogers Communications and BCE Inc's Bell have removed Russian State-Owned broadcaster RT from their slate of channels in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In separate statements, the two companies confirmed the decision following an increase on sanctions imposed on Russia by Canada.
Shaw Communications (SJRb.TO) has made teh change effective today, and has provided current users with the choice to receive a credit for the removal during the next billing cycle. Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez agrees with Bell's decision to restrict the network, saying that Russia has been conducting information warfare across the world. He adds that Rogers will replace RT with a broadcast of the Ukrainian flag."RT is the propaganda arm of Putin's regime that spreads disinformation. It has no place here," Rodriguez added.
The European Union also banned RT and news agency Sputnik. Last week, the bloc unveiled sanctions on RT's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan, deeming her a representative of Russian propaganda. Alphabet Inc's Google on Saturday barred RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their websites, apps and YouTube videos, similar to a move by Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc, following the invasion.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier imposed sanctions against Russia which he said would impose "severe costs on complicit Russian elites," while liquor stores in Manitoba and Newfoundland provinces confirmed plans to remove Russian spirits, and Ontario, Canada's most populous province, also directed the Liquor Control Board Of Ontario to withdraw all Russian products.
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