Canada intends to "put the squeeze" on Syria with a series of new sanctions, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Friday.
Baird said that Syrian President Bashar Assad must step down amid the "disgusting brand of violence" being unleashed on civilians and Canada is taking steps to isolate him and his regime.
The sanctions take effect immediately and will prohibit any imports from Syria with the exception of food.
Ottawa will also ban any new Canadian investment or the export of equipment and software used to monitor telephone and Internet communications to Syria.
An asset freeze will also apply to selected individuals and entities associated with the Assad regime, and Canadians will be prohibiting from doing business with them.
"Assad is cut off. His disgusting brand of violence must stop and come to an end. He must go," Baird told reporters in Ottawa.
Later on Friday, a delegation of the Syrian National Council, a coalition of opposition groups, met with Baird.
"We asked the Canadian government to recognize the people's revolution, to recognize the people's demand for freedom and democracy in Syria," said Obaida Nahhas, a member of the delegation.
Sanctions by Western powers, Turkey and the Arab League have added pressure on Assad. The U.S. State Department has said Assad's repression may not allow him to hold onto power for long.
The foreign affairs minister once again urged any Canadians to get out of Syria.
"We encourage any Canadians in Syria to take our advice and leave and leave immediately while commercial means are still available," said Baird.
His warning came the same day twin suicide blasts rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus, killing at least 44 people and wounding more than 150 others.
State officials took Arab League observers to one of the blast sites and hinted that the bombings were committed by terrorists, not protesters trying to topple Assad's regime –- a suggestion that has been criticized by National Council member Omar Idilbi.
Back in Canada, Baird chided the UN for failing to act decisively in the wake of what is happening in Syria.
"This is not a good day for the Security Council," he said. "Obviously, we want to see strong action taken at the UN Security Council."
Hours after Baird's criticism, the UN Security Council released a statement condemning the twin blasts in Syria. The message extended condolences to victims of the attacks but not the government, an unusual omission.
Members of the Security Council, the decision-making arm of the UN, remain divided over how to handle the conflict in Syria.
Earlier in the day, Baird rebuked the agency for not acting more quickly to address the bloodshed in Syria.
"We obviously are working outside the United Nations with our allies," he said.
More than 5,000 Syrians have been killed by forces loyal to Assad's regime during protests against his rule.
Canada exported $60 million in goods to Syria in 2010, while importing nearly $17 million-worth.
With files from The Canadian Press
