Canada welcomes recent positive developments in Burma. Canada will continue to work with allies and partners in the international community, and will continue to support those Burmese working inside and outside Burma, to promote human rights, fundamental freedoms and a transition to genuine democracy.
On April 24, 2012, Canada eased its economic sanctions against Burma. Most prohibitions of the 2007 Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations (the “Burma Regulations”) were removed, including those pertaining to exports, imports, financial services and investment. Burma has also been removed from the Area Control List, meaning that exports to Burma of goods and technology that are not included on the Export Control List (ECL) will no longer require an export permit issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act.
However, the amended Burma Regulations still include sanctions against certain listed individuals and entities and forbid trade in arms and related material along with related technical and financial assistance. More information is available on our web page on Canada’s economic sanctions against Burma.
Canada will continue to closely monitor the situation in Burma and review its policy accordingly. Canada continues to urge the Burmese authorities to unconditionally release all remaining political prisoners, and to work with members of the democratic opposition and ethnic groups to find sustainable solutions to conflicts, including the ongoing conflict in Kachin state. Canadian officials will continue to use every available opportunity to discuss issues of concern with the Burmese authorities.
Canada’s Official Development Assistance to Burma has been suspended since 1988. However, through whole of government efforts, Canada is working to strengthen democratic forces and civil society, as well as addressing the humanitarian needs of those who have sought refuge outside of Burma. This work is being undertaken inside Burma and on its borders with neighbouring countries.
- Through a CIDA program of $15.9 million over five years, Canada provides assistance to support Burmese refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons through organizations operating in border countries (Thailand, Bangladesh, India and China) and delivered through Canadian NGOs. This is in addition to an earlier contribution of $12.4 million over the previous five years.
With contributions of more than $1.1 million over five years to independent media and other groups, the Democracy Envelope of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Glyn Berry Program for Peace and Security has increased the knowledge and capacity of democratic actors and the people of Burma.
- Through initiatives of the Embassy of Canada in Bangkok, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is supporting projects to strengthen and partner with civil society.
- The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for Burma-related projects in Thailand supports small scale, community-led projects relating to Burma ($120,000 in 2010-2011). It focuses on projects related to human rights, good governance and democratic development.
- In 2011, CIDA contributed $2.35 million in humanitarian assistance to United Nations agencies in support of their work in Burma. Of this amount, $2 million was provided in support of the World Food Programme’s Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation, and $350,000 was provided to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
- Following the devastation caused by Cyclone Giri in October 2010, CIDA responded with $500,000 in humanitarian assistance to support emergency responses by Save the Children Canada and Médecins Sans Frontières Canada. This contribution allowed the provision of basic health care services to the disaster-affected population and the distribution of emergency shelter material and essential non-food items to families who lost their homes in the cyclone.
- In response to the humanitarian needs of the people of Burma following Cyclone Nargis in 2008, CIDA contributed over $25 million to relief efforts through Canadian and international partners. Ordinary Canadians, concerned about the plight of people affected by the cyclone, contributed an additional $11.6 million to these efforts.
- Since 2006, over 5,000 refugees from Burma have been resettled to Canada. April 2012
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