North Macedonia Added to AFCCL
Order Amending the Automatic Firearms Country Control List: SOR/2022-187
The Order adds North Macedonia to Canada’s Automatic Firearms Country Control List, allowing exporters to apply for permits to send certain prohibited firearms, weapons, devices, or their parts to that country. Exports remain subject to case-by-case permit review by Global Affairs Canada and can only be made to the government of North Macedonia or end-users authorized by that government.
- Published
- August 31, 2022
- Department
- Unavailable
- Section
- Order Amending the Automatic Firearms Country Control List
- Comment deadline
- March 31, 2022
- Effective date
- August 19, 2022
- Publication part
- Part II
Summary
Summary#
This is the Order Amending the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (SOR/2022-187). It adds North Macedonia to Canada’s list of destinations where certain controlled firearms, weapons or related parts can be exported if a permit is granted. The order took effect on August 19, 2022.
What it does#
- Adds North Macedonia to the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL).
- Means exporters can now apply for permits to send items that are both prohibited under the Criminal Code and listed on the Export Control List to that country.
- Such exports are only allowed to the government of the receiving country or to end-users authorized by that government.
- All permit applications for these items are reviewed case-by-case by Global Affairs Canada against criteria in the Export and Import Permits Act and international rules (like the Arms Trade Treaty).
- The decision to add the country followed consultation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of National Defence and a public consultation held from March 2 to March 31, 2022 (which received 5 comments).
Who's affected#
- Canadian defence and security manufacturers that export prohibited firearms, weapons, devices, or their parts.
- Small and medium-sized companies in Canada’s defence industry may see new business opportunities.
- Government officials who process and enforce export permits, including Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
- The general public is unlikely to notice direct changes; exports still require permits and risk review.
Why it matters#
- It opens a potential market for some Canadian exporters by allowing permit applications for shipments to North Macedonia that were previously not allowed.
- It may enable more government-to-government defence cooperation between Canada and North Macedonia.
- Safeguards remain: each export is checked for risks such as being used to commit human-rights abuses, terrorism, or gender-based violence, and permits must be denied if there is a substantial risk.
- The change is narrow in scope and is not expected to create significant new costs or large shifts in export volume.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette