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The Harper government is snubbing officials from a select group of pariah states, ordering its diplomatic missions around the world not to invite them to receptions celebrating Canada Day on July 1.

Foreign Affairs circulates a “persona non grata” list in June each year, warning its embassies, consulates and other missions to bar them from local events marking Canada’s birthday.

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The department has refused to release its latest list, but The Canadian Press obtained last year’s version — likely little changed for 2014, with the possible inclusion of Russia for the first time.

North Korea, Fiji, Belarus, Iran, Syria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are prominent, largely because of Canada’s objections to their unelected governments.

Taiwan is also on the list, though only because Canada does not recognize the island as a state rather than from any disapproval of the government.

Sudan has special status: officials can be invited, but only those not named in arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court.