Economic Sanctions

Act: United Nations Act, R.S., 1985, c. U-3; Special Economic Measures Act, 1992, c.17
Regulation: United Nations Côte d'Ivoire Regulations, SOR/2005-127; Regulations implementing the United Nations Resolution on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, SOR/2006-287; United Nations Democratic Republic of the Congo Regulations, SOR/2005-306; Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Iran, SOR/2008-118; United Nations Iraq Regulations, SOR/2004-221; Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolution on Lebanon, SOR/2007-204; United Nations Liberia Regulations, SOR/2004-153; United Nations Rwanda Regulations, SOR/94-582; United Nations Sierra Leone Regulations, SOR/2004-117; United Nations Sudan Regulations, SOR/2005-122; Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism Regulations, SOR/2001-360; United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations, SOR/99-444; Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations, SOR/2007-285; Special Economic Measures (Zimbabwe) Regulations, SOR/2008-248

To Whom Does This Apply?

Anyone conducting business with one of the countries or groups affected by the regulations. 

Summary

Sanctions are measures applied to certain countries or groups that may include complete or partial interruption of trade relations such as import and export bans, limitations on travel and means of communications, and freezing of assets.

The United Nations Act is the legislative authority to implement United Nations Security Council decisions within Canada's domestic legal framework. Regulations adopted under this Act impose measures in conformity with Security Council Resolutions. At present, regulations adopted under the United Nations Act include restrictions on the following countries, groups or individuals:

• Côte d'Ivoire
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Iran
• Iraq
• Lebanon
• Liberia
• Rwanda
• Sierra Leone
• Sudan
• Terrorists

Authority exists to impose sanctions pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act. The Act authorizes the Governor in Council to make orders or regulations to impose sanctions in relation to a foreign state. At present, regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act include restrictions against the following countries:

• Burma
• Zimbabwe

Further information is available from the  Canadian Economic Sanctions Web site or by contacting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Manitoba Contact(s):
See National Contact.

National Contact(s):
United Nations, Human Rights and Economic Law Division
Economic Law Section
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0G2
Telephone: 613-995-1108
Fax: 613-992-2467
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: sanctions@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/international/index.aspx?lang=eng