On Friday, March 15, 2019, the Government of Canada amended its
Russia economic sanctions regulations to add a number of new
individuals and entities to the restricted party list. See
Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia)
Regulations (SOR/2019-71).
Canadian businesses should carefully review the list of new
designations and assess whether they include any current or
prospective business partners.
The Canadian Government's Regulatory Impact Analysis
Statement explaining the policy rationale behind the new
designations will be published in next week's edition of the
Canada Gazette, along with the official amending
regulations. However, it is likely that the designations are in
response to an escalation of tensions over a November 2018
incident in which the Russian coast guard fired on and captured
three Ukrainian navy vessels in the Kerch Strait between the Black
Sea and the Sea of Azov on Crimea's eastern peninsula.