ARTICLE
28 July 2016

Russia Vs Iran: Which Country Faces More Severe Canadian Economic Sanctions?

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Canada imposes unilateral economic sanctions against both Russia and Iran pursuant to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations and Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, respectively.
Canada International Law

Canada imposes unilateral economic sanctions against both Russia and Iran pursuant to the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations and Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations, respectively. It was not long ago that Canadian export controls lawyers were saying that Canada imposed its most strict sanctions against Iran. However, on February 5, 2016, Canada lifted some of its sanctions against Iran. Canada is talking tough on Russia and Canada's unilateral economic sanctions against Russia have been evolving. The question is, which country (Russia vs Iran) faces the more strict restrictions under Canadian laws? Which country poses the greater risk for Canadian companies seeking business opportunities?

I have not asked an easy question and they are different elements to look at to answer the questions. To help with the analysis, I have prepared a chart that sets out the unilateral economic sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by Canada against both countries (as at July 19, 2016).

Chart: Unilateral economic sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by Canada: Russia vs Iran (as at July 19, 2016)

Type of Restriction/Obligation

Russia

Iran

Number of Listed Entities

55 + 6 (as at July 19, 2016)

161
(as at July 19, 2016)

Number of Listed Financial Institutions

6
(as at July 19, 2016)

Not separately listed

Number of Listed Individuals

93
(as at July 19, 2016)

41
(as at July 19, 2016)

Number of Listed Goods

19
(as at July 19, 2016)

41
(as at July 19, 2016)

Prohibition to deal in any property, wherever situated, held by or on behalf of a listed person

Yes

Yes

Prohibition to enter into or facilitate directly or indirectly, any transaction related to a dealing in any property, wherever situated, held by or on behalf of a listed person

Yes

Yes

Prohibition to provide any financial or other related service in respect of to a dealing in any property, wherever situated, held by or on behalf of a listed person

Yes

Yes

Prohibition to make any goods, wherever situated, available to a listed person

Yes

Yes

Prohibition to provide any financial or related service to or for the benefit of a listed person

Yes

Yes

Prohibition to provide financing for or otherwise deal in new debt of longer than 30 days' maturity, including bonds, loans, debentures, extensions of credit, loan guarantees, letters of credit, bank drafts, bankers' acceptances, discount notes, treasury bills, commercial paper and other similar instruments in relation to persons listed in Schedule 2 (financial institutions)

Yes

No

Prohibition to provide financing for or otherwise deal in new debt of longer than 90 days' maturity, including bonds, loans, debentures, extensions of credit, loan guarantees, letters of credit, bank drafts, bankers' acceptances, discount notes, treasury bills, commercial paper and other similar instruments in relation to persons listed in Schedule 3 (entities)

Yes

No

Prohibition to provide financing for or otherwise deal in new securities, including shares or any other ownership interest in relation to persons listed in Schedule 2 (financial institutions)

Yes

No

Prohibition to export, sell, supply, or ship any listed good

Yes

Yes

Prohibition to provide to any financial, technical or other services related to any listed good whose export, sale, supply or shipment is prohibited

Yes

Yes

Exemptions

Yes –7 (listed goods & services)

Yes – 7 (listed goods) and 5 (technical data)

Prohibition to transfer, provide or disclose to government entity or any person in the country any technical data related to listed goods

No

Yes

Prohibition to do anything that causes, assists or promotes, or is intended to cause, assist or promote any prohibited act

Yes

Yes

Ongoing duties to determine

Yes

Yes

Ongoing disclosure obligations

Yes

No

Ministerial Authorization potential

Yes

Yes

UN Sanctions Restrictions

No

Yes


Based on the chart above, Canada's economic sanctions against both countries create risks for businesses. The Canadian sanctions against Russia include certain goods, services and financial services. As a result, more activities of Canadian businesses might be caught in a somewhat wider net of unilateral sanctions against Russia.

On the other hand, the Canadian sanctions against Iran are against more entities and more individuals and there are also multilateral UN sanctions restrictions to also consider when looking at Canada's trade restrictions against Iran. The tracing of the relationships adds a level of complexity to any analysis. In addition, because services are not the subject of a specific prohibition, it is necessary to take time to interpret the scope of the goods and data related prohibitions. The total volume of restrictions against Iran is still complex and also rather broad.

While it appears from media reports that Iran is being opened up and Russia is being constricted, Canada's economic sanctions against both countries create obstacles to Canadian business. I cannot conclude that the sanctions against Russia are more restrictive. I have to conclude that targeted sanctions are just that – targeted. What is desired to be open is open and what is desired to be closed is closed.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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