Canada Eases Syria Sanctions for 6 Months, Appoints Stefanie McCollum as Ambassador, Allocates $84 Million in Aid

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Updated Mar 13, 2025, 09:25 AM

The Canadian government has announced plans to ease financial sanctions against Syria for a period of 6 months and appoint an ambassador to the country, as the interim government in Damascus seeks international support. Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that Ottawa will provide $84 million in new funding for humanitarian assistance to Syria. Canada's ambassador to Lebanon, Stefanie McCollum, has been nominated to serve concurrently as the non-resident ambassador to Syria. This move is part of Canada's strategy to support a transition to an inclusive and peaceful future in Syria, as noted by Canada's Special Envoy for Syria, Omar Alghabra. The easing of sanctions is intended to allow funds to be sent through certain banks, such as the Central Bank of Syria, to support democratization, stabilization, and the delivery of aid during this transitional period. Previously, Canada had imposed strict sanctions against the regime of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who was replaced by the interim government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

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