Belarus sanctions: 19 people, 25 entities

Summary#

These are final amendments to the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations that were registered on March 8, 2022 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 30, 2022. The changes add a list of people and companies to Canada’s Belarus sanctions list and broaden who can be targeted by those sanctions.

What it does#

• Adds 19 individuals and 25 entities to Schedule 1 of the Regulations (the Gazette includes the full list of names).
• Creates a new list heading and a new part for persons targeted for a “grave breach of international peace and security,” separate from the existing human‑rights‑violations list.
• Expands the reasons someone or some entity can be listed to include people who “directly or indirectly facilitate, support, provide funding for or contribute to a violation or attempted violation of the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Ukraine or that obstruct the work of international organizations in Ukraine.”
• Updates wording that names Belarus state‑controlled banks, including Belarusbank and Belagroprombank, and broadens the reach to entities controlled by Belarus.
• The amendments came into force on the day they were registered (see March 8, 2022).
• The Regulations are enforced by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency; people who knowingly break the rules face criminal penalties (see “Why it matters” for the penalty amounts).

Who's affected#

• The 19 named people and the 25 named companies and organizations added to Schedule 1.
• Canadian banks and financial institutions, which must update screening and monitoring systems to catch dealings with newly listed names.
• Canadian businesses or people who seek permits to do activities that the Regulations otherwise prohibit — they may face new restrictions or need new permits.
• It is unclear how much direct effect the listings will have on everyday Canadians; the government says most listed persons and entities have limited ties to Canada.

Why it matters#

• The changes make it harder for the named individuals and companies to use financial and business links with Canada. That can include freezing assets and blocking certain transactions under the Regulations.
• The amendments are meant to increase economic and diplomatic pressure on Belarus for its support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• For most Canadians, the impact is likely small unless they have direct business or financial ties to the newly listed Belarusian people or firms.
• Breaking the sanctions can carry penalties: a summary conviction may bring a fine of up to $25,000 or up to 1 year in jail (or both), and an indictable conviction can result in up to 5 years’ imprisonment.