15 Russian Officials Added to Sanctions

Summary#

These are final amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act. They add 15 named Russian officials to Canada’s Russia sanctions list and make it clear that knowingly helping or facilitating banned activities is itself prohibited. The amendments came into force on March 14, 2022 and were published in the Canada Gazette on March 30, 2022.

What it does#

• Clarifies that any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada who knowingly causes, helps, facilitates, or intends to help activities already banned by the regulations is also breaking the rules.
• Adds 15 people to Part 1 of Schedule 1 (making them subject to Canada’s dealings ban). The new names are:
  • Dmitry Yuryevich GRIGORENKO
  • Maxim Gennadyevich RESHETNIKOV
  • Nikolai Anatolyevich YEVMENOV
  • Vladimir Lvovich KASATONOV
  • Igor Vladimirovich OSIPOV
  • Sergei Vladimirovich SUROVIKIN
  • Sergey Vladimirovich DRONOV
  • Sergey Mikhailovich PINCHUK
  • Arkadiy Yurevich ROMANOV
  • Andrei Olgertovich VOLOZHINSKY
  • Mikhail Yevgenyevich MIZINTSEV
  • Igor Yevgenyevich KONASHENKOV
  • Aleksandr Petrovich CHUPRIYAN
  • Dmitry Viktorovich KOCHNEV
  • Sergei Borisovich KOROLYOV
• The regulations were applied from the date of registration (they take effect immediately) and were made available publicly when published.

Who's affected#

• Canadians and any person physically in Canada: they must not deal with the listed individuals or knowingly assist banned activities.
• Canadian banks and financial institutions: they need to update screening systems and block or freeze assets or transactions involving the newly listed people.
• Canadian businesses and small businesses that might have dealings or apply for permits related to these people: they could face extra compliance steps or permit denials. The government says such costs are likely to be small.
• The listed individuals themselves (the 15 named Russian officials) are directly targeted by the measures.
• Compliance and enforcement bodies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency, which enforce these regulations.
• Global Affairs Canada will publish and maintain the consolidated sanctions list used for compliance.

Why it matters#

• Practically, the measures mean Canadians and entities in Canada cannot legally do business with, provide services to, or make funds or goods available to the newly listed individuals. Banks will screen and block transactions tied to them.
• The change tightens existing sanctions by making it explicit that helping or facilitating a banned activity is itself banned, reducing loopholes.
• The goal is to increase pressure on the Russian government in response to its invasion of Ukraine (which began on February 24, 2022) and to align Canada with actions by allies.
• Breaking the rules can carry criminal penalties: on summary conviction a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, and on indictment imprisonment for up to five years.
• The government says the amendments are targeted (aimed at individuals) and should have limited impact on the broader Canadian economy.