Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations: SOR/2026-23

Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 4

Registration
SOR/2026-23 February 13, 2026

SPECIAL ECONOMIC MEASURES ACT

P.C. 2026-130 February 13, 2026

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the situation in Syria constitutes a grave breach of international peace and security that has resulted or is likely to result in a serious international crisis;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, makes the annexed Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations under paragraph 4(1)(a)footnote a and subsections 4(1.1)footnote b, (2)footnote c and (3) of the Special Economic Measures Actfootnote d.

Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations

Amendments

1 The definitions designated person and luxury goods in section 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations footnote 1 are repealed.

2 (1) Paragraph 2(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Section 2 of the Regulations is amended by replacing paragraphs (c) and (d) with the following:

3 (1) Paragraph 3(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraphs 3(d) and (e) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

4 Paragraphs 3.1(a) to (g) of the Regulations are repealed.

5 (1) Paragraph 3.2(b) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Paragraph 3.2(d) of the Regulations is repealed.

(3) Paragraph 3.2(k) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

6 Section 3.3 of the Regulations is repealed.

7 (1) Paragraph 3.4(1)(a) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

(2) Subsections 3.4(2) and (3) of the Regulations are replaced by the following:

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to His Majesty in right of Canada or a province if the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has identified a need for a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to acquire, control, transport, transfer and destroy chemical weapons for the purpose of facilitating the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program.

8 The portion of section 5 of the Regulations before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

5 The following entities must determine on a continuing basis whether they are in possession or control of property owned — or held or controlled, directly or indirectly — by a listed person:

9 Subsection 6(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

6 (1) Every person in Canada, every Canadian outside Canada and every entity set out in section 5 must disclose without delay to the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or to the Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service

10 The heading before section 7 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

Applications

11 Subsection 7(1) of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

7 (1) A listed person may apply to the Minister in writing to have their name removed from Schedule 1.

12 Section 8 of the Regulations is replaced by the following:

8 (1) A person claiming not to be a listed person may apply to the Minister for a certificate stating that they are not the person who has been listed under section 2.

(2) If it is established that the person is not a listed person, the Minister must issue a certificate to the applicant within 30 days after the day on which the application is received.

13 Schedule 1 to the Regulations is amended by replacing the references after the heading “SCHEDULE 1” with the following:

(Section 2 and subsections 7(1) and (2))

14 Items 8, 9, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 30, 32 to 42, 44, 45, 48 and 49 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations are repealed.

15 Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations is amended by adding the following in numerical order:

16 Item 82 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations is repealed.

Application Before Publication

17 For the purpose of paragraph 11(2)(a) of the Statutory Instruments Act, these Regulations apply according to their terms before they are published in the Canada Gazette.

Coming into Force

18 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Issues

In 2011, Canada imposed sanctions against Syria in response to the Assad regime’s violent repression of peaceful pro-democracy protesters, which triggered mass casualties, displacement, and an international crisis. After the regime’s fall and the end of the Syrian civil war in December 2024, G7 Leaders, including Canada, committed to supporting a transition process in Syria that could lead to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance. Since then, Canada has continued to provide humanitarian funding, eased certain sanctions measures through a temporary General Permit to allow for more humanitarian activities and transactions within Syria, and named a non-resident ambassador to Syria. Canada has also reaffirmed its commitment to support a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political transition that reflects the country’s ethnic and religious diversity, condemned sectarian violence, and called for the protection of civilians, respect for the dignity and human rights of all Syrians, accountability for perpetrators of violence, and de-escalation and national reconciliation. As such, Canada is seeking to amend and ease the sanctions regime in response to the significant political changes and current context in Syria.

Background

As part of the so-called Arab Spring in 2011, pro-democracy protests in Syria were met with a violent crackdown by the Assad regime, causing large-scale civilian death and injury, widespread internal and cross-border displacement, and Syrian military incursions into neighbouring countries. Canada assessed that these actions constituted a grave breach of international peace and security and caused an unprecedented regional humanitarian crisis.

In response, Canada adopted the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations (the Syria Regulations) in May 2011, imposing sanctions on Syria to condemn the regime’s actions and to support the Syrian people. Between 2011 and 2017, the Syria Regulations were amended multiple times to add individuals and entities linked to the regime and to introduce comprehensive economic prohibitions. In total, Canada has sanctioned 225 individuals and 56 entities, including state-owned and private actors in key sectors, in order to limit the Assad regime’s capacity to fund oppression and violence.

In parallel, the United Nations (UN) Security Council imposed sanctions on terrorist groups active in Syria, including Da’esh (ISIL) and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), with measures including arms embargoes and asset freezes. As a UN member state, Canada enforces UN sanctions domestically, either through the United Nations Act or the Criminal Code.

From 2011 to 2024, United Nations (UN) estimates indicate more than 350 000 deaths, hundreds of thousands wounded, over seven million internally displaced persons, and more than six million global refugees.

Fall of the Assad Regime

On December 8, 2024, Syrian opposition forces led by HTS ended 53 years of Assad family rule. Four days later, G7 leaders reaffirmed support for the Syrian people and for an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, while calling on all parties to respect Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

A transitional government led by former head of HTS President al-Sharaa is now working to stabilize the country and advance Syria’s political transition. However, the political, security, and economic situation remains fragile, with serious intercommunal and sectarian violence in the north, south, and coastal regions of the country, and concerns over a potential resurgence of terrorist groups. The UN also continues to warn of persistent humanitarian needs affecting more than 16 million people, 70% of the population.

Syria’s human rights situation remains complex, since at least 2011, in the wake of the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown against its populace. Syrian citizens were tortured, murdered, disappeared, attacked with poison gas, or forced to flee for their lives. Guided by the belief that there can be no sustainable peace and lasting reconciliation in Syria without accountability for human rights violations and justice for victims and survivors, Canada and the Netherlands instituted proceedings against the state of Syria before the International Court of Justice in 2023 for torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment of its own population. Since the fall of the Assad regime, there have been recurring incidents of armed clashes and sectarian violence in some minority communities, involving non-state actors and not attributed to the Syrian transitional government, which has raised new concerns about the protection of civilians and the dignity and human rights of religious and ethnic groups.

In August 2025, the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry published a report regarding a wave of violence that engulfed coastal and western central Syria from January to March 2025, which involved pro-Assad militias, Syrian transitional government forces, and pro-government militias. The report indicated that the violence was widespread and systematic and that acts that may amount to war crimes were committed. It also outlined urgent steps to prevent future violations and restore public confidence. Sectarian violence has also affected other regions, such as in the south, where there have been clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups.

International response

On December 12, 2024, G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the people of Syria and full support for an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process.

To support Syria’s transition, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (U.K.), and the United States (U.S.) progressively eased sanctions in 2025.

On June 30, 2025, the U.S. terminated most of its economic sanctions on Syria, revoking multiple emergency declarations and executive orders. On December 18, 2025, the U.S. also repealed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (Caesar Act), lifting secondary sanctions on foreign entities engaging in Syria. However, the 1979 designation of Syria as a State Sponsor of Terrorism remains under review. On July 8, 2025, the U.S. revoked the terrorist designation for HTS.

On November 7, 2025, the UN removed former HTS leaders Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the UN counterterrorism sanctions list; however, HTS itself remains listed as a terrorist group by the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida “1267” Sanctions Committee.

Canada’s response

Canada welcomed the end of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, and reaffirmed support for the Syrian people. In January and March 2025, Canada announced international assistance funding to Syria, building on more than $4.7 billion committed in the region since 2016. Canada has also resettled over 100 000 Syrian refugees since 2015.

On February 27, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs issued a temporary six-month general permit under the Syria Regulations [the “General Permit (Syria)”] to allow Canadians and persons in Canada to provide any financial or related services to or within Syria, in support of democratization, stabilization, and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to or within Syria, including transactions through the Central Bank of Syria and six other sanctioned banks. The General Permit (Syria) was extended for an additional six months in August 2025 and is currently valid until February 23, 2026.

Canada has increased its engagements with Syrian officials and has removed Syria from Canada’s Order Establishing a List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism under the State Immunity Act. Canada also removed HTS from the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities under the Criminal Code.

Objective

These amendments remove obstacles to engagement with Syria and reflect Canada’s commitment, alongside its allies, to support a successful Syrian political transition and to contribute to international efforts to facilitate Syria’s economic recovery. Consistent with Canada’s concerns about sectarian violence in Syria since March 2025, these amendments reaffirm Canada’s longstanding commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. They also signal Canada’s condemnation of, and intention to impose costs on, those responsible for human rights violations, the repression of civilians, and actions that undermine Syria’s peace, security, and stability.

Description

Repeal of certain economic prohibitions

In recognition of the changed political circumstances in Syria and the need for international support for Syria’s long-term political and economic recovery, the amendments repeal certain broad economic prohibitions that apply to Syria. These include removing prohibitions related to imports and exports of goods to and from Syria, including technical data used for monitoring telecommunications; investment in Syria; the provision or acquisition of financial services to or from Syria, and the provision or acquisition of financial or other services related to importation of petroleum.

Amendments to the listing criteria

The amendments revise the scope of the listing criteria under the Syria Regulations. First, the amendments narrow the listing criteria in the Syria Regulations to individuals and entities associated with Bashar al-Assad and the repression carried out by his government between 2011 and 2024. Second, the amendments expand the scope of the Syria Regulations to allow for sanctions designations in response to human rights violations and actions undermining the peace, security, and stability of Syria.

Delisting and listings of entities and persons

The amendments delist 24 entities and one individual from Schedule 1 in order to remove economic barriers and transactions with state-affiliated entities in key sectors for economic recovery and with key government entities. There is also an amendment to remove a duplicate listing for one individual included in Schedule 1.

The amendment also adds six individuals to Schedule 1 of the Syria Regulations for their engagement in gross and systematic human rights violations in Syria and/or undermining the peace, security or stability and threatening or disrupting Syria’s political transition. Any person in Canada or Canadian outside Canada is thereby prohibited from dealing in the property of, entering into transactions with, providing services to, transferring property to, or otherwise making goods available to the listed individuals. These measures will also render listed individuals inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Under the Syria Regulations, listed persons may apply to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to have their name removed from the Schedule of designated persons. The Minister must determine whether there are reasonable grounds to make a recommendation to the Governor in Council for removal.

Amendments for clarification and consistency

The amendments include updated language for clarification and consistency with the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA). They clarify that an entity owned, held, or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a listed person may also be listed. Further, they clarify that it is prohibited for any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada to deal in property held, directly or indirectly, by listed persons, and that it is prohibited to transfer or provide any property other than goods to listed persons.

Updated exception for support to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

The amendments also update the language of the exception that allows for necessary activities by UN member states related to the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program, as identified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This amendment was required for Canada’s continued support for the OPCW in implementing its mandate regarding Syria.

Remaining prohibitions

Prohibitions under the Syria Regulations continue to apply to Bashar al-Assad, his family, associates, and other listed persons. Restrictions on chemical weapons, related materials, and technical assistance will also continue to apply. While some prohibitions have been lifted to enable economic engagement, any activity benefiting a listed terrorist entity in Syria remains strictly prohibited, except for those covered by the humanitarian exceptions contained in the Syria Regulations and subsection 83.03(4) of the Criminal Code. Prohibitions on HTS and other groups, which remain listed under UN Security Council resolutions 1267, 1989 and 1253 related to the Taliban, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida continue to apply except those covered by humanitarian exceptions under UN Security Council resolution 2644.

Regulatory development

Consultation

Global Affairs Canada regularly engages with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, cultural communities, and other like-minded governments, regarding Canada’s approach to sanctions implementation. With respect to these amendments, public consultation would not have been appropriate or possible due to sensitive foreign policy considerations and time pressures to support a sustainable transition in Syria. Public consultations could compromise broad foreign policy objectives and confidentiality. Therefore, the amendment was not prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I.

Indigenous engagement, consultation and modern treaty obligations

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Federal Approach to Modern Treaty Implementation, an initial assessment of the geographical scope of the amendments was conducted to determine whether the amendment would give rise to modern treaty implications, duty to consult obligations, or obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. No implications or modern treaty obligations were identified, as the amendments do not take effect in a modern treaty area.

Instrument choice

Under SEMA, sanctions measures are imposed and lifted by amending regulations. As such, regulations are the only available legal instrument for removing persons from the Canadian sanctions list, for repealing prohibitions, or for changing the scope of the regulations under SEMA. No other instruments could be considered.

Regulatory analysis

Benefits and costs

By removing obstacles to economic engagement, Canadians — including the Syrian diaspora in Canada — and Canadian businesses would be allowed to undertake more dealings with Syria. However, given that the sanctions have been in place since 2011, and that Canada’s trade relationship with Syria before 2011 was limited, it is anticipated that the impact on Canadians or Canadian businesses in the short to medium term will be minimal. Further, as a result of the amendments, restrictions and prohibitions under the Syria Regulations will no longer apply to the delisted entities and individual, and the delisted individual will no longer be inadmissible to Canada under paragraph 35.1(b) of IRPA.

The amendments also expand the Syria Regulations to permit targeted sanctions in response to human rights violations and actions that threaten a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria. The listings target specific individuals, and as such have less impact on Canadian businesses than traditional broad-based economic sanctions and have a limited impact on the citizens of the country of the listed individuals. Based on initial assessment of available open-source information, it is believed that the newly listed individuals have limited linkages with Canada and therefore do not have business ties or dealings with Canadian enterprises that are significant to the Canadian economy. As such, it is anticipated that there will be no significant impacts on Canadians and Canadian businesses as a result of these amendments.

The incremental cost to the Government of Canada to administer and enforce these additional prohibitions is minimal. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and other departments and agencies will incur a small cost to ensure their relevant systems include the persons listed through this amendment.

Small business lens

Analysis under the small business lens concludes that the amendments will benefit Canadian small businesses. The amendments remove some prohibitions for all Canadian businesses, some of which are small businesses. No new obligations have been created, and the delisting of entities and an individual does not impose any new compliance or administrative burden on small businesses in Canada.

With respect to the new individuals being listed under the Syria Regulations, an analysis under the small business lens concluded that the amendments could impact Canadian small businesses. The Syria Regulations prohibit all Canadians and persons in Canada, including Canadian businesses, from dealing with, providing services to, or otherwise making goods available to listed persons.

While Canadian businesses may seek permits under the Special Economic Measures Permit Authorization Order, they are granted on an exceptional basis. As the newly listed individuals have limited known linkages with Canada, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any permit applications resulting from listing these persons. Thus, no incremental administrative burden on small Canadian businesses is anticipated to arise from these new listings. Canadian small businesses are also subject to the duty to disclose under the Syria Regulations, which would represent a direct compliance requirement. However, due to the newly listed individuals having limited known linkages with Canada, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate any disclosures resulting from the amendments.

One-for-one rule

The one-for-one rule does not apply, since the amendments do not constitute incremental change in administrative burden on businesses. Permits may be granted under the Syria Regulations on an exceptional basis. However, given that the listed individuals have limited known business ties to the Canadian economy, Global Affairs Canada does not anticipate that any permit application will be submitted as a result of the amendments.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

The amendments to the Syria Regulations align Canada’s efforts with those of international partners to remove economic barriers to stabilization, economic recovery, and a successful political transition in Syria. While the amendments are not related to a work plan or commitment under a formal regulatory forum, they align with actions taken by some of Canada’s allies, including the EU, Japan, the U.K., Switzerland, and the United States.

International obligations

Compliance with Canada’s international commitments was considered in the development of this proposal. Canada does not have a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Syria, nor is Syria a member of the World Trade Organization.

Effects on the environment

The amendments are unlikely to result in important environmental effects. In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, a preliminary scan concluded that a strategic environmental and economic assessment is not required.

Gender-based analysis plus

None of the newly listed individuals have Canadian citizenship; as a result, the scope of the gender-based analysis plus is limited.

The subject of economic sanctions was previously assessed for effects on gender and diversity. Although intended to facilitate a change in behaviour through economic pressure on individuals and entities in foreign states, sanctions under SEMA can nevertheless have an unintended impact on certain groups and individuals in vulnerable situations. Targeted sanctions limit the collateral effects to those dependent on listed individuals and entities and are unlikely to have a significant negative impact on vulnerable groups as compared to traditional broad-based economic sanctions directed towards a state. Furthermore, in this case, the amendment of the Syria Regulations and the delisting of certain state-affiliated entities, including the Central Bank of Syria and Syrian Air, are expected to have a positive impact on the citizens of Syria, including vulnerable groups.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

The amendments come into force on the day they are registered.

Pursuant to the application of paragraph 35.1(b) of IRPA, the delisted individual will no longer be rendered inadmissible to Canada.

Consequential to being listed in the Syria Regulations, and pursuant to the application of paragraph 35.1(b) of IRPA, the listed individuals would be inadmissible to Canada.

The names of the listed individuals will be available online for financial institutions to review and will be added to the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List. This will help to facilitate compliance with the Syria Regulations.

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) at Global Affairs Canada continues to assist clients in understanding Canadian sanctions regulations and, notably, the impact of the Syria Regulations on any activities in which Canadians may be engaged, abroad and in Canada. Global Affairs Canada is also increasing outreach efforts across Canada — including engaging with businesses, universities, and provincial and territorial governments — to enhance national awareness of and compliance with Canadian sanctions.

Under SEMA, both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency officers have the power to enforce sanctions violations through their authorities, as defined under the Customs Act, the Excise Act or the Excise Act, 2001, and sections 487 to 490, 491.1 and 491.2 of the Criminal Code.

In accordance with section 8 of SEMA, every person who knowingly contravenes or fails to comply with the Syria Regulations is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not more than $25,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both; or, upon conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years.

Contact

Global Affairs Canada
Sanctions Bureau
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0G2
Telephone (toll-free): 1‑833‑352‑0769
Telephone (local): 1‑343‑203‑3975
Fax: 1‑613‑995‑9085
Email: sanctions@international.gc.ca