Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced Tuesday that Canada is expanding its sanctions against Syria.
Baird said 27 individuals and 12 "entities" will be added to the government's sanctions list. The government is also prohibiting the purchase and transportation of Syrian petroleum products, and barring new investment in the nation's oil industry.
During question period in the House of Commons, Baird said the government is "concerned about the ever-deteriorating situation in Syria and the plight of Syrian civilians."
"I am pleased to announce that we have expanded sanctions against the Syrian regime and its factors," Baird said. "Even further, we will do our part to ensure that the full weight of the world is brought to bear on Assad and those who support him. We stand by the Syrian people in their hour of struggle.
The announcement comes on the same day that a debate carried on at the United Nations over whether to put forward a resolution against Syria.
Syrian President Bashar Assad is facing international condemnation over his harsh and bloody crackdown on civilians who have engaged in anti-government protests. UN estimates say at least 2,700 people have been killed since the protests began in March.
When asked if Canada is considering a military intervention in Syria similar to its mission in Libya, Baird said he has gleaned from conversations with Syrian opposition leaders that there is little appetite for such a move.
