On August 18, 2023, Canada announced new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (the “Russia Regulations”), effective retroactively as of August 17, 2023, targeting individuals and entities of the Russian justice and security sectors.

This recent amendment adds 15 individuals and three entities to Schedule 1 of the Russia Regulations. The sanctioned individuals include “members of the Russian justice and security sectors, including judiciary and investigative committee senior officials”. The entities are federally funded courts, which Canada believes “have been directly involved in human rights abuses against Russian opposition leaders”.

Our team will continue to closely monitor the sanctions related to Russia, providing updates to keep clients informed about important developments affecting trade and services. We regularly assist clients with the application for delisting process and subsequent judicial review of determinations (or lack thereof) by the Minster of Foreign Affairs in response to those applications for delisting. We also regularly assist with applications for exemption permits, including under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Permit Authorization Order. We have significant experience in the design and implementation of sanctions-related compliance programs and internal investigations. Where breaches are identified, we work closely with clients in making voluntary disclosures and in engaging with the ensuing investigations conducted by the RCMP and Global Affairs Canada.