On June 16, the Government of Canada announced an aggressive sanctions package, effective as of June 13, 2025, implementing a number of amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (the “Regulations”). These amendments designated a further 116 individuals and entities, which Canada has described as follows: Kremlin enablers and oligarchs, persons involved in the development of sensitive dual-use quantum technology, beneficiaries of the illegal war in Ukraine, ‘Shadow Fleet’ enablers, banks and foreign financial…

On June 10, 2025, the Government of Canada announced the addition of two individuals to the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulation (the “Regulations”). The amended Regulations entered into force the same day. Canada designated Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Minister of Finance, for their alleged facilitation of the “expansion of settlements and outposts in the West Bank and “contributing to a more permissive environment for higher…

Throughout the month of March, the Government of Canada continued to vigorously pursue its sanctions designations under the country-specific sanctions enacted pursuant to Canada’s Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA). The Government announced further designations amending theSpecial Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, the Special Economic Measures (Sudan) Regulations (Sudan Regulations), the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations (Myanmar Regulations), the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (Iran Regulations), the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations (Haiti Regulations) and the Special…

On February 24, 2025, the Government of Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (“the Russia Regulations”). These amendments list an additional 44 entities and 32 individuals, both Russian and non-Russian, in Schedule 1 of the Russia Regulations. The designated entities and individuals include those who support Russia’s military-industrial complex, facilitate the transport of military equipment within Russia, or are associated with the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children…