23 Russian Justice and Security Officials Sanctioned

Summary#

These final regulations amend the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act to add a group of Russian justice and security officials to Canada’s sanctions list. The measures took effect on registration (November 10, 2022) and were published in the Canada Gazette on November 23, 2022.

What it does#

• Adds 23 individuals (police, investigators, prosecutors, judges and prison officials) to Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.
• Those listed face a broad prohibition on “dealings” with them by people in Canada and Canadians abroad — effectively an asset freeze and ban on transactions or services involving their property.
• The listed names are added to the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List so banks and other businesses can screen for them.
• The rules were made to apply from the registration date (so they were in force before Gazette publication).
• Violations can lead to penalties including a fine of up to $25,000, or imprisonment for up to one year on summary conviction, or up to five years on indictment.

Who's affected#

• The 23 named Russian individuals and any assets or transactions they have that touch Canada.
• Canadian banks, financial institutions and businesses that must screen customers and block or report prohibited transactions.
• Law enforcement and border agencies tasked with enforcement, notably the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.
• Most ordinary Canadians are unlikely to be directly affected unless they do business with the listed people.

Why it matters#

• These additions extend Canada’s targeted sanctions against people the government says are involved in human rights abuses and repression in Russia.
• For the listed individuals, it restricts access to funds and services connected to Canada.
• For Canadian banks and firms, it means updating screening and compliance systems.
• Politically, the move signals Canada’s continued alignment with international partners responding to Russia’s actions in Ukraine and to domestic human-rights concerns.