Belarus sanctions: 22 individuals, 16 entities added

Summary#

This final regulation, Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations (SOR/2022-240), adds people and companies to Canada’s Belarus sanctions list. It puts 22 individuals and 16 entities under a broad ban on dealings. The measures came into force on November 17, 2022 and were published in the Canada Gazette on December 7, 2022.

What it does#

• Adds 22 individuals to Schedule 1, Part 1.1 of the regulations. The government describes them as senior Belarusian officials in the military, border service and political or civil administration.
• Adds 16 entities to Schedule 1, Part 2. These include military manufacturers, technology and engineering firms, state and private banks, and the national railway.
• Places the listed people and companies under a “broad dealings ban” in the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations. In plain terms, Canadians and people in Canada are generally prohibited from doing business or financial transactions with them.
• The listed names will be added to the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List so banks and others can identify them.
• Enforcement is handled by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency. Penalties cited in the notice include fines up to $25,000, imprisonment up to one year on summary conviction, or up to five years on indictment.

Who's affected#

• The 22 individuals and 16 entities named (mostly Belarusian officials, companies, banks and the national railway).
• Canadian banks and financial institutions, which must screen for and block dealings with the listed parties.
• Canadian businesses that trade with or use services from the newly listed entities (for example, firms that use Belarusian banks or rail transport).
• Most ordinary Canadians are unlikely to notice direct effects, because the government says the new listings probably have limited links with Canada. If it is unclear whether a specific Canadian business is affected, the business would need to check the sanctions list.

Why it matters#

• These amendments increase Canada’s economic pressure on Belarus for its role supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and for human-rights concerns described in the notice.
• The change aligns Canada with partners (like the U.S., U.K. and EU) who have taken similar steps.
• Practically, the listings can cut off the named people and companies from Canadian financial and commercial ties, and they signal Canada’s political stance.
• For Canadian firms that do have ties to Belarusian banks, manufacturers or the railway, the rules could require new compliance steps or stop certain transactions.