I am often asked why export controls and economic sanctions are
important. The simple answer is that if you export a controlled
good or export goods to a sanctioned country, your company could
become front page news. If that should happen because your company
manufactured and sold goods that are used to kill a Canadian
soldier, your company's reputation (and maybe your reputation)
will be damaged.
Even if no one dies, your company's reputation may suffer
damage to its brand. Or, customer trust in your company may be
damaged. Things may never be the same.
Your company may lose business opportunities. For example, and
this is a real possibility, if your company is under investigation,
Canada may not issue your company other export permits. You might
not be able to sell your goods into export markets if you cannot
get an export permit. Other countries (e.g., the United States) may
learn that you have breached Canada's export controls and/or
economic sanctions laws and
