Over the course of August 2023, Canada imposed sanctions on Iran, Belarus, Lebanese and Russian parties, and amended the definition of “designated” and “listed” persons in its country-specific sanctions regulations to combat sanctions circumvention. Part 1: New Sanctions against Iran, Belarus, Lebanese and Russian nationals During the week of August 7, Canada announced additional amendments to designate persons under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (the “Iran Regulations”), the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations (the “Belarus Regulations”),…

On July 20, 2023, Canada announced additional amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (the “Regulations”) in response to individuals and entities “complicit in Russia’s ongoing violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”. These amendments list an additional 39 individuals and 25 entities under Schedule 1 of the Regulations and took effect on July 19, 2023. There are now over 1,800 parties listed under Schedule 1 of the Regulations. Among the newly listed…

What is Bill C-47? Bill C-47 (the “Bill”) is the Federal Budget Implementation Act – Part 1, an omnibus bill which amends existing legislation to meet the Government’s 2023 Budget objectives. Division 10 of the Bill implements significant amendments to Canada’s unilateral sanctions legislation.[1] What legislation was amended? Bill C-47 amends the Special Economic Measures Act (“SEMA”) and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (“the JVCFOA”). Accordingly, all country-specific statutes implemented…