New Russia Sanctions: 9 People, 6 Entities

Summary#

This final regulation amends the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations to add 9 people and 6 organizations to Canada’s Russia sanctions list. The changes took effect on November 9, 2023 and mean dealings with the listed persons and entities are broadly prohibited for people and businesses in Canada.

What it does#

• Adds these nine individuals to the sanctions list (names as published):
  • Igor Sergeyevich Ivanov
  • Ivan Nikolaevich Timofeev
  • Aleksandr Oganovich Chubaryan
  • Alexander Yevgenyevich Konkov
  • Andrei Mikhailovich Ilnitsky
  • Dmitry Vyacheslavovich Suslov
  • Andrey Andreevich Sushentsov
  • Oleg Nikolaevich Barabanov
  • Sara Lvovna Shor
• Adds these six entities to the sanctions list (names as published):
  • The text-center for Socio-Conservative Politics Non-Commercial Partnership
  • The Institute of State and Law (ISL) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)
  • Russia Beyond
  • Izvestia (newspaper)
  • Parliamentskaya Gazeta (newspaper)
  • REN‑TV Application Before Publication
• Because the additions are to Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, the listed people and entities are subject to the Regulations’ broad dealings ban. That generally means people and businesses in Canada cannot deal with their property, provide services to them, or make goods available to them.

Who's affected#

• People and businesses in Canada, and Canadians abroad, who would otherwise deal with the listed individuals or entities.
• Financial institutions and other firms that screen clients and transactions; they will update compliance systems to block dealings with the newly listed names.
• The nine named individuals and six named entities (who are now subject to Canada’s asset- and dealings-restrictions).
• It is unclear how many Canadian businesses actually have connections to these specific names; the government says the links are likely limited.

Why it matters#

• These listings add targeted pressure on people and organizations that Canada says support Russian disinformation and the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.
• For most Canadians the immediate effect will be small: banks and businesses must update checks and refuse prohibited transactions. That can cause minor compliance costs.
• Violating the rules can carry penalties. A person who knowingly breaks the Regulations may face, on summary conviction, a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or, on indictment, imprisonment for up to five years.
• The change aligns Canada with similar actions by allies and is intended to limit the spread of pro‑war propaganda and to impose economic consequences on those linked to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.