On May 29, 2013, in response to a stated concern over Iran's
nuclear program, the Government of Canada significantly expanded
its unilateral sanctions against Iran under the Special
Economic Measures Act ("SEMA") by amending the
existing Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (the
"Regulations"). Subject to certain narrow exemptions,
Canada effectively implemented a general ban on all exports
to and imports from Iran. This is a significant departure
from Canada's existing sector specific sanctions regime, which
primarily targeted Iran's energy industry, financial sector,
and its military and nuclear activities.
This alert provides a brief overview of the new measures,
which are set out in detail by the Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade here. These new sanctions should be carefully
reviewed and incorporated into the export and import compliance and
screening procedures of Canadian companies doing business not just
in and around Iran, but also