The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions wrote to all of its regulated institutions today informing them of President George Bush’s executive order attacking terrorist financing, encouraging Canadian firms to be vigilant.

“I encourage you to continue to co-operate in this effort against terrorism by reviewing your records and providing any relevant information to the appropriate law enforcement agency,” said Julie Dickson, assistant superintendent regulation sector, OSFI. “I also remind you again of your obligations under the United Nations Afghanistan Regulations.”

OSFI distributed a copy of Bush’s order and the updated list of blacklisted individuals and organizations. Bush’s order freezes the assets of the named groups and empowers the U.S. to freeze any U.S. assets of foreign financial institution who do not co-operate in this initiative.