CBSA hosts the first Five Eyes Export Enforcement Forum in Ottawa

From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

June 30, 2023
Ottawa, Ontario

This week, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) hosted the first Five Eyes working group focused on export controls and sanctions enforcement with a view to enhancing global security. This forum brought together delegates from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, and demonstrates the shared value and importance each country places on counter-proliferation and border security.

All five nations recognized the importance of strong partnerships in enforcing sanctions and preventing sensitive goods and technologies from reaching those who would use them to wage war or produce weapons of mass destruction.

The discussions focused on integrating export compliance methods and provided an opportunity for partners to share knowledge related to the sanctions evasion techniques used by proliferators. The CBSA and Five Eye partners enhanced their commitment to working in close collaboration with each other and industry to identify and prevent actors from exploiting legitimate trade channels to the advantage of competitors or sanctioned entities.

Quotes

“As a proud member of the Five Eyes, Canada’s strong alliances keep our country safe. This includes significant collaboration amongst members to institute and enforce sanctions on Russia, following its brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine. International partnerships like these ensure that Russia and other rogue states can’t circumvent sanctions to fund their crimes. I want to thank the CBSA for its leadership in convening this important meeting.”

– The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety

Quick facts

  • Export controls are restrictions applied by governments as a means to regulate, and sometimes deny, trade in specific goods and technologies.

  • The CBSA works with domestic and international law enforcement partners, government agencies, industry and the community to identify, deter, prevent and investigate the unauthorized or illicit export of strategic goods and technologies.

  • In June 2022, the CBSA and the U.S. Department of Commerce strengthened their joint commitment to keep sensitive technologies and goods out of Russian hands.

Contacts

Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
media@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
1-877-761-5945

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