Carney says Russian team won’t be allowed at Alberta’s world junior hockey tournament

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In a statement Tuesday, the federal government said it would use its immigration powers to prevent Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from entering Canada to compete under their national symbols.

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“This measure is not directed at the Russian and Belarusian people. Rather, it is intended to prevent the governments of Russia and Belarus from using international sporting events hosted in Canada as platforms for state representation, political legitimacy and propaganda,” the statement said.

The government said entry would be assessed individually, while athletes competing as neutrals could still participate in international sporting events hosted by Canada.

Carney’s comments come after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Friday that Russia must be reinstated to international hockey competition, starting with the world junior tournament.

Several European hockey federations, including Sweden, Finland, Czechia and Latvia, have said their teams will refuse to face Russia.

“We respect the decisions of the Finns, the Czechs, the Swedes, other nations, but this is a decision we take on our own,” Carney said.

Hockey Canada says it has been consulting with the International Ice Hockey Federation and other stakeholders about the potential impact on the tournament.

The world juniors begin Dec. 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer.

— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Antigua.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2026.

The Canadian Press