Burma Sanctions: Four Entities, Three Individuals Listed

Summary#

These final regulations amend the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations to add several people and companies to Canada’s Burma sanctions list. The changes took effect on the day they were registered (October 25, 2024) and were published in the Canada Gazette on November 6, 2024.

What it does#

• Replaces item 84 in the sanctions schedule with Myanma Five Star Shipping Company (also known as Myanma Five Star Line Company Limited).
• Adds four entities to Part 1 of the schedule:
  • King Royal Technologies Company Ltd. (also known as King Royal Technologies Co. Ltd. and King Royal Technologies Ltd.)
  • Royal Shune Lei Company Ltd.
  • International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE) Company Ltd. (also known as International Group of Entrepreneurs Company Ltd. and IGE)
  • Swan Energy Company Limited (also known as Swan Energy)
• Adds three individuals to Part 2 of the schedule:
  • Charlie Than (born 1950)
  • Ne Aung (also known as Nay Aung)
  • Win Kyaw Kyaw Aung (born August 7, 1983)
• After listing, the regulations:
  • Prohibit people in Canada and Canadian citizens abroad from dealing with listed persons, their property, or providing them services.
  • Make the listed individuals inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
  • Allow enforcement by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.
  • Create criminal penalties of up to $25,000 and/or one year in prison on summary conviction, or up to five years on indictment.

Who's affected#

• The newly listed companies and individuals named above.
• Canadian banks and financial institutions, which must update screening systems to block transactions involving these names.
• Canadian businesses with ties to Myanmar may need to check whether they deal, directly or indirectly, with any newly listed parties.
• Most Canadian small businesses are unlikely to be affected because known links between these listed parties and Canada are limited.
• Humanitarian actors: the regulations include exemptions (for example for humanitarian assistance), so relief organizations should review details before acting.
• The listed people will also be barred from entering Canada.

Why it matters#

• These are targeted sanctions aimed at cutting off revenue, arms, and fuel channels used by the Myanmar military regime.
• The government says the additions are meant to increase pressure on the regime to stop violence and engage in peace efforts.
• For most Canadians the change is indirect: it signals continued international pressure and creates small compliance steps for banks and some businesses.
• For the named individuals and companies, the measures can freeze Canadian economic links and bar travel to Canada, with legal penalties for those who break the rules.