Sanctions & legal landscape
What Canada changed — and what still matters
Canada repealed broad sectoral prohibitions in February 2026 while retaining targeted sanctions against listed persons and entities. This page is the legal baseline for the rest of the site.
Last reviewed: · Figures as announced Feb 2026
Overview
The practical challenge is no longer only “is Syria completely sanctioned?” — it is whether a specific activity is lawful under Canadian law, processable by banks, and defensible under residual listings and AML/CTF controls.
What moved
- Broad prohibitions on many imports, exports, investment, and financial services were repealed (with limited exceptions such as certain chemicals). GAC Syria page
- Activities previously covered only by the temporary General Permit (Syria) were made lawful under the amended regulations; the permit expired on 23 February 2026. GAC Syria page
- Canada removed 24 entities and one individual from the Syria Regulations to reduce barriers to economic activity with state-affiliated actors in recovery-critical sectors. GAC news release; Backgrounder
What remains
- Targeted prohibitions continue to apply to listed individuals and entities under Schedule 1. Justice Laws — SOR/2011-114
- Listing criteria were updated to address gross and systematic human rights violations and conduct undermining Syria’s peace, security, or stability; six individuals were listed under the new criteria. GAC news release
- As announced in February 2026: 32 entities and 229 individuals remained sanctioned under Schedule 1. Re-check the live list before acting. GAC news release
- Cross-jurisdiction exposure (United States, European Union, United Kingdom) can still block a transaction that is lawful under Canadian sectoral rules. This point is operational analysis, not a quotation of Canadian statute.
Timeline
Key Canadian milestones. Always confirm effective dates on Justice Laws and Canada Gazette.
GAC Syria sanctions page
Backgrounder
Backgrounder
Ministerial announcement
GAC Syria sanctions page
Eased vs restricted
A practical framing — not a substitute for reading the regulations or screening lists.
| Topic | Direction after Feb 2026 | Still watch |
|---|---|---|
| Broad trade / investment / many financial services | Sectoral prohibitions largely repealed | Exceptions (e.g. certain chemicals); bank internal policy |
| Listed persons & entities | Some delisted (incl. major state-affiliated actors in recovery sectors) | Dealings with remaining Schedule 1 listings |
| Humanitarian / early recovery | Broader Canadian legal room after permanent easing | Donor rules, counterpart risk, documentation |
| New designations | Criteria expanded (human rights / stability) | Fresh listings can appear without sectoral bans returning |
Canada–United States–European Union comparison: planned for a later briefing. Until then, treat foreign-law exposure as a separate screening step. Table rows above summarize official Canadian easing; they are not a substitute for the regulations. See References.
Official sources
Primary Canadian references for this page (full list on References).
- Global Affairs Canada — Canadian Sanctions Related to Syria
- Justice Laws — Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations (SOR/2011-114)
- Canada.ca — Minister Anand announces amendments (February 2026)
- Canada.ca — Backgrounder: Amendments to sanctions related to Syria
- GAC — Sanctions information and guidance