At the end of March, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) quietly updated its list of “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding compliance with Canada’s sanctions regime. For years, basic FAQs have remained the sole source of interpretative guidance on the application of the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) the United Nations Act, the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (JVCFOA) and the Freezing Assets of Corruption Foreign Officials Act. Despite the growing complexity of provisions enacted…
On April 25, 2024, the Government of Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (the “Regulations”). These amendments list an additional two individuals and two entities in Schedule 1 of the Regulations. On April 14, 2024, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian proxies launched drones and missiles into Israel, Iran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel. The newly listed individuals and entities are associated with this attack and include: These sanctions…
On April 15, 2024, Canada announced new sanctions regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to gross and systematic violations of human rights. The Special Economic Measures (Sudan) Regulations (the “Regulations”) designate six individuals and entities and entered into force on April 12, 2024. The Regulations were announced on the one-year mark of the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forced (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, who are fighting…
On April 15, 2024, Canada announced further amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations (the “Regulations”). These amendments list an additional 21 individuals under Schedule 1 of the Regulations in response to ongoing human rights violations in Belarus. The amendments took effect on April 12, 2024. The announcement follows a visit by the exiled Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, to Ottawa. The individuals targeted are current and former senior government officials involved in human rights abuses…