Canada maintains threat of sanctions on Russia if it interferes in Ukraine

OTTAWA – The Harper government is leaving the threat of sanctions against Russia on the table if it interferes in the fast-moving events in Ukraine.

That possibility was first raised Sunday by Immigration Minister Chris Alexander on CTV’s Question Period.

A day later, Alexander appeared to play down speculation about Canadian sanctions on Russia when he fielded questions from reporters on Parliament Hill.

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird made no mention of that possibility in a statement issued by his office Monday.

However, Baird’s spokesman says all options remain “on the table” when asked directly about that possibility.

Tensions between the West and Russia continue to run high after Ukrainian authorities replaced their Russian-leaning President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the capital Kyiv on Friday.