The Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, SOR/2026-30 represent Canada’s latest effort to strengthen its sanctions against Russia in response to its ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. This amendment builds on the existing Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA), reflecting the evolving nature of international sanctions and the need to close loopholes exploited by Russia and its enablers. The regulations aim to degrade Russia’s military capabilities, limit access to critical financial and technological resources, and increase the economic costs of its war effort.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, violated the United Nations Charter and international law, and the conflict has continued for over four years, marked by sustained military aggression and atrocities. Russia has restructured its economy to prioritize military spending and self-sufficiency in strategic sectors, including energy, finance, and technology. President Vladimir Putin’s 2025 modernization strategy emphasizes artificial intelligence (AI) in military applications, with close coordination between state corporations, research institutes, design bureaus, and scientific production enterprises. This centralized control accelerates military innovation and improves hybrid warfare capabilities. Russia’s access to foreign components, financial networks, and energy revenues remains critical to sustaining these efforts, prompting concerns over sanctions evasion through third-country intermediaries, shadow fleets, and cryptocurrency transfers.

Canada’s response under SEMA has been extensive. The Russia Regulations prohibit dealings with listed individuals, entities, and vessels, effectively freezing assets and restricting transactions, services, and goods. Canada has sanctioned over 3,300 individuals and entities across Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova, including more than 400 vessels. These measures target financial, trade, and transport networks, including foreign financial institutions that facilitate cross-border payments for Russian entities. Canada also restricts imports of Russian crude oil, refined petroleum, and gaseous hydrocarbons, while prohibiting exports of oil exploration and production-related goods, as well as services supporting Russia’s energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. Enforcement is strengthened through bans on Russian-linked ships and coordinated Shadow Fleet Task Force operations involving G7 and Nordic-Baltic countries.

The 2026 amendments add 21 individuals and 53 entities, including senior military officials, defence-industrial leaders, AI and drone developers, financial institutions facilitating sanctions evasion via cryptocurrency, and key energy and technology actors. One entity has been moved from Schedule 3 to Schedule 1, making it subject to the full range of measures, and 100 vessels have been added to Schedule 1.1 for involvement in shadow fleet activities. Schedule 10.01 has been updated to reflect the further lowered crude oil price cap, from US$47.60 to US$44.10. Non-substantive corrections were made to vessel build years to ensure precision.

Canada (30/2026) March 11, 2026
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.