On June 21, 2019, the Government of Canada announced that it was implementing/imposing economic sanctions against nine Nicaraguan officials in response to ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations by the Government of Nicaragua. The economic sanctions and trade restrictions were imposed under the Special Economic Measures Act.  Similar sanctions were imposed by the

Canada

Canada has made many lists and you may have to look at more than one list before exporting goods.  Which lists you must look at depends upon the destination country, the identity of buyer (including related parties), what specifically you are selling to your buyer (the good and its component parts), and the industry

Canada

On October 12, 2017, Global Affairs Canada published a Consolidated Special Economic Measures Act Sanctions List.  Before today, Canadian companies had to review each regulation promulgated under the Special Economic Measures Act when conducting due diligence.  However, and this is important, the Global Affairs Consolidated Special Economic Measures Act Sanctions List does not

Canada

On July 26, 2017, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs issued a Statement “Canada Calls on Venezuela to cancel Constituent Authority“.  The Statement contains two interesting sentences:

“Furthermore, Canada welcomes and supports the important actions taken today by the United States to target leaders of the regime. Individuals who are undermining democracy and

Canada



In 2016 and early 2017, Canada’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) reviewed Canada’s Special Economic Measures Act (“SEMA”) and the Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.  The SEMA was encted to authorize the Governor in Council (Cabinet) to promulgate unilateral economic sanctions against states, as well as individuals

iStock_000019169483XSmallCanadian companies are required to comply with Canada’s economic sanctions laws – and it is not an easy task. Currently, Canada imposes multi-lateral economic sanctions pursuant to the United Nations Act against 16 countries (Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ivory Coast, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, North Korea, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South

Canada

smiley-vector-illustration-puzzled_X1AqT-_LCanada continues to impose unilateral economic sanctions against Iran.  Most Canadian companies believe that the economic sanctions do not impact their business activities.  However, when I ask “Do the goods you wish to export to Iran include aluminum, stainless steel or silver?”, I see shocked faces.  The reason why this question is important is

Businessman with World Map Globe.

On June 8, 2016, Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development announced that it would be undertaking a review of the Special Economic Measures Act and the Freezing of Assets of Corrupt Foreign Public Officials Act.  The announcement did not receive much press at the time. The announcement states:

Canada

Businessman with World Map Globe.

Canadian companies must be careful to not inadvertently breach Canada’s very strict sanctions against North Korea. Most Canadian companies know that almost all dealings with North Korea are either not permitted or that an export permit or ministerial authorization is required.  That is why it comes as quite a shock to learn that not

Canada

Businessman with World Map Globe.

Looking back over the last 12 months, the level of activity in the area of export controls, economic sanctions and trade restrictions in Canada is somewhat surprising.  Canada is usually rather quiet and there is not a lot to report.  The last 12 months are different and we are seeing activity at Global Affairs,