On October 17, 2022, the Government of Canada announced additional sanctions targeting 34 individuals and 1 entity “complicit in the dissemination of Russia disinformation and propaganda”, who “help assist the Russian regime in undermining the principles of state sovereignty and are responsible for spreading false narratives that serve as pretexts for the Russian regime’s unjustifiable war”.

The Government of Canada has indicated it intends to continue efforts to counter disinformation associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Government of Canada’s response has included to “work with its international partners to detect, correct and call out the Kremlin’s state-sponsored disinformation about Ukraine” and to publish “reliable and accurate information about the situation in Ukraine at home and abroad”.

These new sanctions are made in addition to 29 state-sponsored disinformation and propaganda agents and 15 entities controlled or owned by the Russian government and involved in disinformation efforts announced on July 8, 2022 as identified by the Government of Canada.

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. We also regularly assist clients with the application for delisting process as well as applications for exemption permits.