45 Individuals Added to Russia Sanctions

Summary#

These regulations add 45 individuals to the Canadian sanctions list under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. The additions took effect when the regulations were registered on June 13, 2025 and were published in the Canada Gazette on July 2, 2025.

What it does#

• Adds 45 individuals to Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations.
• Makes it illegal for any person in Canada, or any Canadian abroad, to deal in the property of, do transactions with, provide services to, or otherwise make goods available to those listed people, unless a special permit is given.
• Causes listed people to be inadmissible to Canada under immigration rules.
• Requires banks and other financial institutions to screen for and block dealings with the newly listed people.
• Creates criminal penalties for knowingly breaking the rules: up to $25,000 on summary conviction, up to one year in jail for summary offences, or up to five years on indictment.

Who's affected#

• The 45 people whose names were added to Schedule 1 (examples include Valery Abisalovich Gergiev, Mikhail Evgenievich Putin, and Anatoly Borisovich Chubais).
• Anyone in Canada, and Canadians abroad, who had or would seek to do business with those individuals.
• Canadian banks and other financial institutions, which must update screening systems and block prohibited transactions.
• Travel and immigration officials, since listed people become inadmissible to Canada.

Why it matters#

• Being listed generally means assets in Canada can be frozen and normal commercial or financial links are cut off.
• The move signals Canada’s continued stance against Russia’s actions in Ukraine and aligns Canadian measures with those of allies.
• For most Canadians, the change is unlikely to have direct effects because the government says the newly listed people have limited links with Canada.
• For businesses and banks, there is a small compliance task to update sanctions screening and prevent prohibited dealings.