۴ý

Skip to main content

Canada will return repaired gas turbine for Nord Stream 1 pipeline

Share
OTTAWA -

Canada will return a repaired Russian turbine to Germany needed for maintenance on the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, Canada's minister of natural resources said in a statement on Saturday.

The Canadian government, which is issuing a "time-limited and revocable permit" to exempt the return of turbines from its Russian sanctions, said the move would support "Europe’s ability to access reliable and affordable energy as they continue to transition away from Russian oil and gas."

Canada also announced it would expand sanctions against Russia's energy sector to include industrial manufacturing.

Canada's new sanctions "will apply to land and pipeline transport and the manufacturing of metals and of transport, computer, electronic and electrical equipment, as well as of machinery."

Russia's Gazprom cut capacity along the Nord Stream 1 pipeline from Russia to Europe to just 40 per cent of usual levels last month, citing the delayed return of equipment being serviced by Germany's Siemens Energy in Canada. Siemens Energy did not immediately return a request for comment Saturday.

Canada said "absent a necessary supply of natural gas, the German economy will suffer very significant hardship and Germans themselves will be at risk of being unable to heat their homes as winter approaches."

The German government, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday, on Friday confirmed it received a positive signal from Canada regarding a turbine needed for Nord Stream 1 maintenance.

Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said in a statement Saturday "our community is deeply disappointed by the Canadian government’s decision to bow to Russian blackmail."

The group said Canada is setting "a dangerous precedent that will lead to the weakening of the sanctions regime imposed on Russia."

The turbine would be sent to Germany first, which will then deliver it to Russia's state-controlled Gazprom, a government source told Reuters earlier this week.

A decision to return the turbine had already been taken, a source familiar with the issue told Reuters on Thursday.

The Kremlin on Friday said it would increase gas supplies to Europe if the turbine were returned.

Ukraine has opposed Canada's handing over the turbine to Gazprom and Kyiv believes such a move would flout sanctions on Russia, a Ukrainian energy ministry source said on Thursday.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Saturday in a statement that "Canada is unwavering in its support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity ... Canada will not relent in pressuring the Russian regime."

(Reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa and David Shepardson in Washington; editing by Sandra Maler, Lisa Shumaker and Chris Reese)

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

The president and CEO of New Brunswick-based Covered Bridge Potato Chips is taking an 'extended leave of absence' after being charged with domestic violence this past weekend.

A memorial is growing outside a Walmart in Halifax after a 19-year-old employee was found dead inside an oven in the store Saturday night.

A search has started at Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of two victims of a serial killer.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

Local Spotlight

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night – with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Looking for a scare with good intentions this Halloween season? The ghosts and ghouls of Eganville, Ont. invite families to tour the Haunted Walk at Lekbor Manor.

The image of a sleepy Saskatchewan small town with 'not a lot going on' is a well-known anecdote. However, one Saskatchewan company is hoping to change that – and allow communities both on and off the beaten path to share their stories and advertise what they have to offer.

Stay Connected