Canada is deeply committed to supporting the Syrian people and working with the international community to find solutions to end the war in Syria. Following last Thursday’s sanctions, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada’s Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations have been further amended to list additional individuals and entities subject to an asset freeze and dealings prohibition.

“Canada is working with its allies to put an end to the war in Syria and to hold those responsible to account. Today’s announcement of additional sanctions against key officials in the Syrian regime sends a strong, unified message to the Assad regime that their war crimes will not be tolerated and that they will be held accountable for their actions.”

- Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

• Canada reviews its sanctions on an ongoing basis and takes action as appropriate. 

• Canada has called for greater accountability and protection for civilians in Syria, including through Canada’s UN General Assembly resolution in December 2016, which garnered the support of 122 countries. Canada actively contributes to accountability efforts, including through its leading financial support for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons–United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism, which investigates the use of chemical weapons.

• Canada also supports and funds the collection of evidence of war crimes in Syria through the Commission for International Justice and Accountability.

• Canada is contributing more than $1.6 billion over the course of three years toward security, stabilization, and humanitarian and development assistance in response to the crises in Iraq and Syria and their impact on neighbouring countries.

Associated Links

• Canada adds Syrian officials to sanctions list
• Canadian sanctions related to Syria
• Canadian economic sanctions
• Canada concerned by conclusive findings of use of chemical weapons in Syria
• Canada contributes €2.5 million to support OPCW work in Syria
• Third Report of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism
• • UN General Assembly calls for action on Syria in Canada-led resolution

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