Prime Minister Mark Carney said Russians “will not be there” at the 2027 World Juniors, as Canada set out reviews and the IIHF assessed a ruling it says requires a Russian team at five 2027 events.
Carney made the comment to reporters in Antigua on Nov. 3. The Canadian government announced its policy that day, covering athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus who seek to compete in Canada under their national symbols.
Global Affairs Canada said Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab would use subsection 22.1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to review each case and could refuse entry. Competitors taking part in a neutral capacity may still participate, the department said. Events receiving federal funding will also have to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes competing under national symbols.
Canada said the measures respond to Russia’s continuing war against Ukraine and Belarus’ complicity. The government said it aims to prevent the two countries’ governments from using sport to project state authority, gain political legitimacy and spread propaganda. It said the restrictions do not target the Russian or Belarusian people.
On Oct. 30, the IIHF said the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had ruled it must allow a Russian team into five 2027 championships, including the World Juniors, with immediate effect. The federation said it would comply. It is reviewing possible changes to tournament formats and calendars, as well as travel, lodging and security arrangements, and said it will provide details in due course.
The ruling followed the IIHF’s July decision to exclude Russia from four 2026-27 competitions, including the World Juniors, over safety, security and sporting-integrity concerns.
The published preliminary-round schedule lists 10 teams and no Russian entry. The tournament is scheduled for Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 5, 2027, in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. The IIHF has not announced an implementation timetable.
