News Release

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**(No. 283 - October 4, 2011 – 4:15 p.m. ET)** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced new sanctions on Syria’s Assad regime in response to its ongoing and escalating repression of Syrian civilians. The measures announced today further expand Canada’s targeted sanctions against the Syrian regime and those that provide it with support.

“The push for political change has claimed thousands of lives with no sign the violence is letting up,” said Minister Baird. “We are committed to working with our international partners to pressure President Assad to step aside.”

The expanded measures include:

* travel restrictions and a freeze of assets and prohibition on dealings with members of the regime and those who provide it with support, in addition to those sanctioned in earlier measures;

* a prohibition on the importation, purchase, acquisition, carrying or shipment of petroleum or petroleum products from Syria; and

* a prohibition on providing financing for new investment in the oil industry or the acquisition, purchase, supply or importation of petroleum or petroleum products in Syria.

“These measures are not meant to add to the hardship already facing the Syrian people,” said Minister Baird. “Canada stands with the Syrian people in their efforts to secure freedom and democracy. We look forward to a new Syria that respects the rights of its people, and lives in peace with its neighbours.”