On July 7, Canada introduced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (“Regulations”) by designating an additional 29 individuals and 15 entities under Schedule 1. The new individual designations consist of persons identified by the Government of Canada as Russian disinformation and propaganda agents. The entities added to Schedule 1 consist of entities identified by Canada as controlled or owned by the Russian government that are involved in disinformation activities.
The Schedule 1 designation under the Regulations imposes an asset freeze and dealings prohibition, subject to limited exceptions, which prohibits any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada to:
- deal in any property, wherever situated, that is owned, held or controlled by or on behalf of a designated person or entity whose name is listed in Schedule 1;
- enter into or facilitate, directly or indirectly, any transactions related to such a dealing;
- provide any financial or other related services in respect of such a dealing;
- make any goods, wherever situated, available to a designated person listed in Schedule 1 or to a person acting on their behalf; or
- provide any financial or related service to, or for the benefit of, a designated person listed in Schedule 1.
Additionally, Canada has introduced a prohibition on the import of gold and certain related goods listed under column 1 of the new Schedule 9, which will take effect 30 days after entry into force. These measures prohibit any person in Canada and any Canadian outside Canada from importing, purchasing or acquiring any goods listed in column 1 of Schedule 9 from Russia or from any person in Russia.
The goods identified in Schedule 9 include gold powder, semi-manufactured gold, monetary gold, unwrought gold and jewellery made of gold. It should be noted, however, that this new prohibition does not apply to goods listed in column 1 of Schedule 9 that are:
- in transit through Russia from a third country; and
- personal effects leaving Russia that are solely for the use of the individual or the individual’s immediate family.
Due to ongoing developments in the region, Canada may announce and implement further measures in alignment with its allies in the coming days. We will publish additional articles as measures are announced in an official capacity.
Unofficial copies of the legislative amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations that came into effect on July 7th are available on Global Affairs’ website at here, here, and here.
