It was a privilege to co-author this Globe and Mail column with Garry Kasparov — chess grandmaster, human rights champion, and one of the most fearless voices for democracy in our time.
In our piece, we made the case for Canada to finally designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. The evidence is overwhelming: the deliberate bombing of civilians, the abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, and the systematic use of torture, rape, and mass killing as tools of war. These are not just war crimes — they are acts of terror.
Canada has already applied this designation to regimes in Iran and Syria. Extending it to Putin’s Russia would not only send a powerful message, but unlock legal and financial tools to hold perpetrators accountable, seize their assets, and support victims.
Working with Garry was an honour. His moral clarity and relentless advocacy remind us that defending democracy requires both courage and persistence. Canada can and should lead — and history will judge us by whether we chose to stand with the victims of tyranny or looked away.