Minister Authorized to Issue Sanctions Permits

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order: SOR/2025-50, which gives the Minister of Foreign Affairs broader authority to issue permits that temporarily allow activities otherwise banned under Canada’s sanctions rules. The Order came into force on February 26, 2025 and was published on March 12, 2025.

What it does#

• Gives the Minister of Foreign Affairs power to issue individual permits to a person in Canada or a Canadian outside Canada to carry out a specified activity or class of activity that is restricted or prohibited under certain sanctions regulations.
• Also allows the Minister to issue general permits that let any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada carry out a specified activity or class of activity covered by those regulations.
• For Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations, the Minister can issue individual and general permits except for activities related to chemical weapons, equipment, goods or technology (those remain excluded).
• Lists the sanctions regulations covered. The Order allows permits for activities restricted under:
  • Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Zimbabwe) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Ukraine) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (South Sudan) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Venezuela) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Nicaragua) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (People’s Republic of China) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Moldova) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Guatemala) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Sudan) Regulations
  • Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations
• Allows the Minister to set conditions, time limits, and reporting requirements on permits. Permits can be amended, suspended, revoked, or reinstated.

Who's affected#

• People in Canada and Canadians outside Canada who trade with, donate to, or otherwise engage in transactions involving the countries or situations listed above.
• Businesses and organizations that deal with those countries (exporters, importers, financial institutions, and humanitarian groups) may be affected if permits are issued.
• It is not always clear in advance which specific people or businesses will use permits; any practical effect depends on whether and how the Minister of Foreign Affairs issues individual or general permits.

Why it matters#

• The Order gives the government a quicker, clearer tool to temporarily lift or ease specific sanctions rules without changing the underlying regulations. That can help with humanitarian shipments, limited commercial dealings, or alignment with allies.
• General permits can speed up access but may reduce Canada’s direct visibility of who benefits from eased rules. The Order allows the Minister to require reporting and to revoke permissions if circumstances change.
• The overall safeguards: permits are time-limited, can carry conditions, and enforcement action remains possible if the permit terms are violated.