Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham Removed from List

Summary#

The federal government removed Hay’at Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS) from Canada’s list of terrorist entities in the Regulations Amending the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities. The change was registered on December 4, 2025 and published in the Canada Gazette on December 17, 2025. This means HTS is no longer on the formal list used under the Criminal Code.

What it does#

• Removes Hay’at Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS) and its many listed aliases (including Jabhat al‑Nusra (JN)) from the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities.
• The amendment took effect on the day it was made (registered December 4, 2025).
• The government says the Minister of Public Safety found there are no longer reasonable grounds to believe HTS knowingly carried out, attempted, participated in or facilitated terrorist activity, or acted on behalf of such an entity.

Who's affected#

• Federal security and enforcement bodies that rely on the list, such as Public Safety Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) — they use the list when assessing threats and monitoring finances.
• Banks and other financial institutions that screen for listed entities. The government says the change has minimal cost or extra work for them.
• People or groups with past or ongoing links to HTS in Syria — removing the listing changes HTS’s formal status under the Criminal Code.
• If you’re unsure whether you or an organization you work with is affected, the Gazette notice or a federal contact (Public Safety Canada) can clarify details.

Why it matters#

• Being on Canada’s list gave an entity a specific legal status under the Criminal Code that made certain prosecutions and financial controls easier to apply. Removing HTS takes away that listed-entity status.
• The government says the removal reflects changes on the ground: HTS leadership announced dissolution, some former members were reportedly integrated into a broader transitional Syrian government, and allies such as the United Kingdom and United States have also delisted the group.
• For the public, the change signals a shift in how Canada views that group and helps align Canada’s list with allies and current developments. The government describes the practical impact as limited for businesses and administrative systems.