Russian forces have been supporting separatist rebels in the Donbas region for eight years since Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Putin has resumed his war in the predominantly Russian-speaking eastern region of Ukraine, withdrawing from a failed attempt to seize the capital Kyiv and oust the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Canadian sanctions focus on Russia’s renewed bid to annex areas of Donbass targeting people trying to support the next phase of Russia’s two-month war in Ukraine. “Canada will not stand idly by and will watch President Putin and his associates try to redraw Ukraine’s borders with impunity,” said Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie in a statement. “International law must be respected.” CAUTION: Liberals say Canada will force others to seize imposed Russian assets

Canada to launch mechanism for seizure and redistribution of sanctioned Russian assets to G7 and G20 allies

“It’s more than just a signal … it’s real legislation, but it’s also an incentive,” said Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Secretary of State, who is proposing legislation to change Canada’s sanction law. “Secretary Jolie will address all the G7, G20, EU allies, saying that this is something we should all do and then it will have a real impact.” 8:53
The federal government also seeks to give itself the power to seize and sell foreign assets that have been frozen under sanctions. Jolie said Wednesday that Canada would put pressure on allies to give themselves similar powers. Global Affairs Canada said the new measures target 11 senior officials and 192 other members of the People’s Councils of the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk in support of Putin’s attack on the region. Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 1,000 individuals or entities from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus since the February 24 invasion, bringing the total to 1,400 imposed since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Last week, Canada added 14 more Russians to its sanctions list, including Putin’s two adult daughters, Maria Vorontsova, 36, and Katerina Tikhonova, 35.