UPDATE: LCBO to remove all Russian products

Doug Ford’s government is directing the LCBO to remove all products produced in Russia from its shelves.

The news was confirmed via statement on Friday, February 25 by Peter Bathlenfalvy, Ontario's Minister of Finance and MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge.

“Canada joins Canada's allied in condemning the Russian government's act of aggression against the Ukrainian people, and will direct the LCBO to withdraw all products produced in Russia from store shelves,” he said. 

“The people of Ontario will always stand against tyranny and oppression.”

CityNews reached out to the LCBO, but did not receive an immediate response.

Earlier Friday, the leader of Ontario's Liberal Party asked the LCBO to stop selling Russian products following that country’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Steven Del Duca wrote to the CEO of the provincial Crown liquor corporation asking that the LCBO pull Russian items until troops are withdrawn.

In his letter to George Soleas, Del Duca said Ontario should follow the lead of the federal government, which has issued sanctions against Russia and taken a stand against the invasion. 

He said Ontario can't say it's standing with Ukraine “while continuing to be (Vladimir) Putin’s customer.”

“Pulling Russian vodka from the shelves of the LCBO is an immediate action Ontario can take to demonstrate our solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca wrote in a letter to the LCBO.

The LCBO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ontario has already pledged to spend $300,000 in humanitarian aid to support Ukrainians in need.