On February 14, 2025, the Government of Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (“the Russia Regulations”), adding two non-Russian entities to Schedule 1. In this significant move, Canada targeted Volga-Dnepr Airlines (Ireland) Limited, an Irish entity, and Volga-Dnepr Logistics B.V., a Dutch entity. This marks the first application of the 2023 amendments to the Special Economic Measures Act (“SEMA”), which expanded the government’s authority, permitting it to impose “secondary sanctions”.…

On January 27, 2025, the Government of Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations (“the Regulations”). These amendments list an additional 10 individuals and 12 entities in Schedule I of the Regulations. These sanctions were announced in coordination with the United Kingdom and include three Belarusian state organizations that are stated to have been involved in human rights violations and nine entities that are stated to be part of the Belarusian…

On February 7, 2025, the Government of Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Sudan) Regulations (“the Regulations”). These amendments list an additional 2 individuals in Schedule I of the Regulations, targeting individuals associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces that are stated to be linked to the continued violence against civilians in Sudan. The Regulations impose a dealings prohibition against the individuals and entities listed, effectively freezing any…