Burma (also Known as Myanmar)

On December 13, 2007, the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations (SOR/2007-285) came into force in order to respond to the gravity of the situation in Burma. The abhorrent human rights and humanitarian situation in Burma is particularly dangerous as the government's actions not only oppress its own people, but also bring substantial transnational destabilizing effects which threaten peace and security in the entire region and undermine freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Subject to certain exceptions, the measures implemented by the Regulations include:

• a ban on all goods exported from Canada to Burma, excepting only the export of humanitarian goods;
• a ban on all goods imported from Burma into Canada;
• a freeze on assets in Canada of any designated Burmese nationals connected with the Burmese State;
• a ban on new investment in Burma by Canadian persons and companies;
• a prohibition on the provision of Canadian financial services to and from Burma;
• a prohibition on the export of any technical data to Burma;
• a prohibition on Canadian-registered ships or aircraft from docking or landing in Burma;
• a prohibition on Burmese-registered ships or aircraft from docking or landing in Canada and passing through Canada.

Canada also has certain policy measures in place with regard to Burma. More information on these measures can be found at the following link: Canada’s Policy on Burma.

Under the Regulations, the Governor in Council may approve and list on a schedule to the Regulations the names of persons for whom there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are connected with the Burmese State. The Regulations provide a review mechanism to remove names from the schedule upon receipt of an application from a designated person. Follow this link for an administrative list of designated persons subject to the assets freeze pursuant to section 5 of the Regulations.

The Special Economic Measures (Burma) Permit Authorization Order (SOR/2007-286), made pursuant to subsection 4(4) of the Special Economic Measures Act authorizes the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue to any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada a permit to carry out a specified activity or transaction, or any class of activity or transaction, that is restricted or prohibited pursuant to the Regulations.

For information on how Canadians can help in providing assistance in response to Cyclone Nargis in Burma, see humanitarian exemptions and cylone relief.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions relating to this page, please e-mail: sanctions@international.gc.ca or call (613) 995-1108.