Ottawa to begin easing unwinding sanctions, as it names its ambassador to Lebanon to serve in a parallel role in Syria.
Published On 13 Mar 2025
The Canadian government has announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria as the interim government in Damascus seeks international support.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Wednesday said Ottawa would provide 84 million Canadian dollars ($59m) in new funding for humanitarian assistance. It would also allow funds to be sent through certain banks, such as the Central Bank of Syria, she said.
Meanwhile, Canada’s ambassador to Lebanon – Stefanie McCollum – has been nominated to serve in a parallel role as the non-resident ambassador to Syria.
The Canadian government issued a statement announcing its “commitment to deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people and to support a transition to an inclusive and peaceful future”.
It added that “these sanctions had been used as a tool against the Assad regime and easing them will help to enable the stable and sustainable delivery of aid, support local redevelopment efforts, and contribute to a swift recovery for Syria”.
Many Western nations, including Canada, placed a range of sanctions on