Types of sanctions

Sanctions imposed by Canada on specific countries, organizations, or individuals vary and can encompass a variety of measures, including restricting or prohibiting trade, financial transactions or other economic activity between Canada and the target state; or the seizure or freezing of property situated in Canada.

On this page

• Arms and related materials embargo
• Asset freeze
• Export and import restrictions
• Financial prohibitions
• Technical assistance prohibitions
• Related measures

Arms and related materials embargo

An arms embargo aims to prevent weapons and military equipment from leaving or reaching a targeted country. It prohibits exporting and importing arms and related materials to and from the targeted country, and may also prohibit communicating technical data or financial transactions related to military activities.

An arms embargo can be imposed under the United Nations Act or the Special Economic Measures Act. An example of an exception that might apply is providing protective or non-lethal military equipment for use by media or human rights personnel.

In addition to the export and import restrictions outlined above, Canada has also developed a Restricted Goods and Technologies List, which includes a broad range of items in the areas of electronics, computers, telecommunications, sensors and lasers, navigation and avionics, marine, aerospace and transportation. It is prohibited for Canadians to export goods and technologies detailed in this list to Russia.

Asset freeze

An asset freeze aims to prevent an individual or entity from gaining access to property or other assets it may hold under Canadian jurisdiction. It prohibits persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada from dealing in any property held by, or on behalf of, a person named in the relevant sanctions regulation. It also prohibits facilitating or providing financial services related to such a dealing.

Asset freezes can be imposed under the United Nations Act, the Special Economic Measures Act or the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act. Exceptions may include transactions with UN agencies, Canadian NGOs, or other aid agencies.

Export and import restrictions

Export and import restrictions aim to hinder the economy, or specific sectors of the economy, of the targeted country. They typically prohibit buying, selling or shipping identified goods to or from the country; for example, oil and petroleum products or certain telecommunication products.

Export and import restrictions can be imposed under the United Nations Act or the Special Economic Measures Act. Exemptions may apply to food; medical supplies; goods used for public health purposes or disaster relief; or goods required under pre-existing contracts. The specific exemptions are listed in the regulations for each set of sanctions.

Regulations enacted under the Export and Import Permits Act provide Canada with an additional mechanism for controlling trade. Notably, export or transfer of any goods or technology to countries named in the Area Control List is controlled, and must be authorized by an export permit issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act. For more information, please see Export and Import Controls.

In addition to the export and import restrictions outlined above, Canada has also developed a Restricted Goods and Technologies List, which includes a broad range of items in the areas of electronics, computers, telecommunications, sensors and lasers, navigation and avionics, marine, aerospace and transportation. It is prohibited for Canadians to export goods and technologies detailed in this list to Russia and Belarus.

Financial prohibitions

Financial prohibitions prohibit persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada from conducting financial transactions with, or on behalf of or at the direction of, certain listed persons. Equally, they may target specific types of financial transactions with listed individuals or entities.

Financial prohibitions can be imposed under the United Nations Act, the Special Economic Measures Act or the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act. Exceptions may include transactions related to humanitarian aid; transactions required to move financial assets away from designated persons; financial transactions required under pre-existing contracts; and remittances between family members. The specific exemptions are listed in the relevant regulations.

Technical assistance prohibitions

Technical assistance prohibitions aim to prevent a country targeted by an arms embargo or an export ban from obtaining services and information related to the banned products. They typically prohibit providing technical data, training or other technical assistance. Prohibitions on technical assistance will usually affect dealings with all persons in the targeted country.

Technical assistance prohibitions can be imposed under the United Nations Act or the Special Economic Measures Act. Some exemptions may be listed in the relevant sanctions regulations.

Related measures

While the United Nations Act, the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act are the primary laws by which Canada prohibits dealings with foreign countries, individuals or entities, other Canadian laws may also restrict or impose limits on certain activities with foreign states or foreign nationals.

• The Criminal Code enables Canada to apply measures in relation to terrorist entities, including those not necessarily listed by the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations or the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism.
• Regulations enacted under the Export and Import Permits Act provide Canada with an additional mechanism for controlling trade. Notably, export or transfer of any goods or technology to countries named in the Area Control List is controlled, and must be authorized by an export permit issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act. For more information, please see Export and Import Controls.
• The Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act allows Canada to freeze the assets or restrain the property of certain politically exposed foreign persons (such as government officials or politicians), at the request of a country undergoing internal turmoil or political uncertainty.
• The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provides the authority to deny entry into Canada to foreign nationals who are inadmissible pursuant to sanctions.