Expanded Haiti Arms Embargo

Summary#

These final rules amend the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Haiti to put into Canadian law the measures in Resolutions 2699, 2700 and 2752 of the UN Security Council. In practice, the rules widen Canada’s arms embargo on Haiti, restrict related technical and financial help, and ban certain transport by Canadian vessels and aircraft. The changes took effect on March 6, 2025.

What it does#

• Changes the definition of military activities to cover actions by both state and non‑state armed forces and anything that helps armed groups operate.
• Replaces a targeted arms embargo with a territorial embargo: it now prohibits supplying, selling, transferring or exporting arms and related material to Haiti or people in Haiti.
• Prohibits providing technical assistance or financial assistance related to military activities to Haiti or people in Haiti.
• Prohibits the owner, master or operator of Canadian vessels and aircraft, and Canadian owners/operators, from knowingly carrying arms and related material destined for Haiti.
• Adds exceptions so the prohibitions do not apply when the activity is solely to support:
  • the United Nations, including the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH);
  • a security unit operating under the Government of Haiti’s command, including the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti.
• Adds exceptions where activities are approved in advance by the Committee of the Security Council, or where non‑lethal military equipment is intended only for humanitarian or protective use (and related technical help).
• Removes a prior reference to “armed mercenaries” from the regulations.
• Sets penalties for knowingly breaking the rules: a fine of up to $100,000 or imprisonment of up to 1 year on summary conviction, and up to 10 years on conviction on indictment.

Who's affected#

• Exporters and traders of weapons and military equipment, including defence contractors and suppliers of related technical or financial services.
• Owners/operators of Canadian vessels and aircraft, and Canadians operating foreign vessels or aircraft in some cases.
• Humanitarian organizations and UN missions — but the rules include explicit exceptions for UN-authorized missions and for non‑lethal equipment used solely for humanitarian or protective purposes.
• Government bodies that administer and enforce the measures, including Global Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canada Border Services Agency.
• The government’s analysis says the amendments should have minimal extra cost for Canadian businesses because most affected items are already controlled on the Export Control List.

Why it matters#

• The rules aim to limit the flow of weapons, training and money that can fuel violence in Haiti. That can affect efforts to reduce gang violence and support international security missions there.
• For businesses and ship/aircraft operators, the changes mean stricter checks and potential legal risk if prohibited items are carried or transferred to Haiti without an approved certificate or exception.
• Humanitarian and UN work in Haiti is explicitly protected by exceptions, so approved relief and peace‑support activities should be able to continue.
• Canada made the changes to meet its obligations as a UN Member State after the Security Council updated the Haiti sanctions regime.