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Canada announces measures related to Syria

Global Affairs Canada

News release

December 5, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, today announced measures taken by the Government of Canada in relation to Syria.

Following extensive review, the Government of Canada has removed Syria from Canada's List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism under the State Immunity Act, as well as removed Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the List of Terrorist Entities under the Canadian Criminal Code.

These decisions were not taken lightly; the safety and security of Canadians will remain paramount for the Government of Canada.

These measures are in line with recent decisions taken by our allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and follows the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syria's stability, build an inclusive and secure future for its citizens, and work alongside global partners to reinforce regional stability and counter terrorism.

The Government of Canada remains committed to fostering safety and security at home and abroad, and will continue its work, including through collaboration with the Global Coalition Against Daesh, to counter global security threats, such as those posed by Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Canada will also continue our accountability efforts, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, as well as the use of targeted sanctions.

Quotes

"Canada welcomes the positive steps taken by the Syrian transitional government since the end of the Assad regime towards a peaceful Syrian-led political transition. Canada stands steadfast with the people of Syria in their quest for an inclusive, stable and prosperous future."

- Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Syria and take measures against violent extremist or terrorist activity by ISIS and Al-Qaeda that poses a threat to Canada, our citizens and our interests around the world."

- Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Quick facts

• Between 2016 and 2025, Canada committed more than $4.7 billion in funding for Syria and countries hosting Syrian refugees, including Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. This funding includes significant humanitarian, development, and stabilization assistance. Canada has also resettled more than 100,000 Syrian refugees since 2015.

• Canada is currently imposing sanctions on 56 Syrian entities and 225 Syrian individuals under Schedule 1 of the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations. These sanctions include senior officials of the former Assad regime and close associates and family members of Assad. The entities listed in the Syrian Regulations include state-affiliated entities and bodies, as well as entities owned or controlled by listed individuals or linked to repression, arms proliferation or financial support for the Assad regime.

• On February 27, 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs issued a general permit under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations ("General Permit (Syria)") to temporarily ease some of Canada's autonomous economic sanctions on Syria. This general permit allows all 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 by taking part in 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.

• Other prohibitions under the Criminal Code as well as pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions may still apply for humanitarian-related and other activities.

• The decision to remove Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham is the result of a recently completed statutory review of 18 currently listed terrorist entities under the Criminal Code by the Government of Canada. In conducting the statutory review, it was determined that the 17 other entities should remain listed.