Overview

• Canada will ease sanctions on Syria for six months, allowing financial transactions to support democratization, stabilization, and humanitarian aid.
• The Canadian government pledged $84 million in new humanitarian funding to address urgent needs, including food, water, and health services.
• Stefanie McCollum, Canada’s ambassador to Lebanon, has been appointed as the non-resident ambassador to Syria to enhance diplomatic engagement.
• The interim Syrian government faces scrutiny over reports of civilian killings, with over 1,500 deaths in recent outbreaks of violence this month.
• Canada emphasizes the importance of de-escalation, national reconciliation, and protecting the rights of Syria's ethnic and religious minorities.