Zimbabwe sanctions: 100 individuals removed

Summary#

The final rule titled Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Zimbabwe) Regulations (SOR/2023-64) removes 100 people from Canada’s sanctions list for Zimbabwe. The change took effect on March 27, 2023, the day the amendments were registered. Other parts of the Zimbabwe sanctions, including the arms embargo, remain in place.

What it does#

• Removes 100 individuals from the schedule to the Special Economic Measures (Zimbabwe) Regulations. One of those names had been listed twice and was removed once.
• Leaves 76 individuals still on the sanctions list after the removals.
• Keeps broader measures in place, such as the global prohibition on exporting or supplying arms and related material to Zimbabwe.
• Takes effect on the day of registration (so the changes applied before the item was published in the Canada Gazette).
• The government says many removals are because people are deceased, have left government, were expelled from the ruling party, or are former family members with no continuing association.

Who's affected#

• Individuals who were on the sanctions list: some are now free of those Canadian sanctions, while 76 remain listed.
• Canadian banks and financial institutions, which monitor and block transactions related to listed people.
• Businesses involved in trade, shipping, or aviation that must avoid restricted dealings with listed persons or with arms shipments to Zimbabwe.
• Global Affairs Canada, which manages the sanctions list, and enforcement agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.
• It is unclear from the text whether private individuals in Canada will notice direct effects beyond changes in how banks or businesses treat specific people.

Why it matters#

• For the people removed, the practical restrictions on dealing with property and financial transactions tied to Canada are lifted. That can affect access to Canadian services, bank accounts, or business contacts.
• For banks and businesses, there should be a slight reduction in compliance work because there are fewer names to screen.
• The arms embargo and other broad sanctions stay in place, so trade in weapons and related services to Zimbabwe remains prohibited.
• The change brings Canada’s list more in line with other countries and is presented as a response to changed circumstances in Zimbabwe rather than a full end to Canada’s concerns.
• Enforcement remains strong: contraventions can lead to fines up to $25,000 and jail time (up to one year on summary conviction, or up to five years on indictment).