Canada Unveils Sweeping Sanctions Against Russia

Strategic Insights -

As part of its ongoing response to Russia's war against Ukraine, the Government of Canada has announced a significant expansion of its sanctions measures against Russia, introducing new import and export prohibitions that mark a substantial escalation in the country's economic penalties against Russia. The updated measures target a wide range of goods and services, including coal, metals, revenue-generating goods, jet fuel, and chemicals related to chemical and biological weapons, with Canadians now prohibited from providing services to designated Russian vessels. Over 1,000 new categories of goods will be subject to an import prohibition, and the export ban on goods related to chemical and biological weapons comes into force 30 days after June 13, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The amended regulations prohibit imports of coal, various metals, and "revenue-generating goods," including over 200 forms of goods such as crustaceans, cigars, fertilizers, and chemicals.
  • The prohibitions do not apply if the goods are imported under a contract entered into before June 13, 2025, and the goods are imported within 120 days of entry into force, with some exceptions available for the importation of certain metals.
  • New export prohibitions include jet fuel and additives, as well as goods and chemicals related to chemical and biological weapons, with a 120-day wind-down period for jet fuel and a 30-day wind-down period for goods related to chemical and biological weapons.
  • The amended regulations also expand the list of Russian vessels subject to various prohibitions, with Canadians now prohibited from providing services to over 310 Russian vessels.
  • The amendments add 116 new individuals and entities to Canada's dealings prohibitions, bringing the total number of Russian individuals and entities sanctioned in Canada to approximately 3,000.
  • Canadian authorities, including the RCMP, CBSA, FINTRAC, and Global Affairs Canada, issued charges against a Canadian company and individual for exporting banned technology to Russia and exporting goods intended for weapons manufacturing.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,000 new categories of goods will be subject to an import prohibition.
  • The prohibitions apply to coal and its related materials, various metals, and "revenue-generating goods," including over 200 forms of goods.
  • 310 Russian vessels are now designated under Canada's sanctions regime.
  • 116 new individuals and entities have been added to Canada's dealings prohibitions, bringing the total number of Russian individuals and entities sanctioned in Canada to approximately 3,000.
  • The 120-day wind-down period for jet fuel expires on August 12, 2025.
  • The 30-day wind-down period for goods related to chemical and biological weapons expires on July 13, 2025.

Sources:

  • Global Affairs Canada, News Release, Minister Anand announces major additional sanctions in relation to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine (June 17, 2025).
  • Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations SOR/2025-143, Subsection 3.051(1) and Schedule 5.01.
  • RCMP News Release, RCMP arrest individual for exporting banned technology to Russia (June 6, 2025).
  • Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, SOR/2025-141, Part 1 of Schedule 1.
  • Government of Canada, A Guide to Canada's Export Control List (May 2025).
  • Global Affairs Canada, Notice to exporters and brokers - Export and brokering of items listed on the Export Control List and the Brokering Control List to Russia (February 24, 2022).
  • Mondaq Ltd, Sanctions Update: Canada Introduces Major Additional Sanctions Against Russia (June 2025).
  • McMillan LLP, Sanctions Update: Canada Introduces Major Additional Sanctions Against Russia (June 2025).