Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced on Wednesday that Canada has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This decision comes after mounting pressure from various political entities over the past few months. LeBlanc stated that the Iranian regime has consistently shown a blatant disregard for human rights, both within and outside Iran, and has actively sought to destabilize the international rules-based order.
Members of Parliament unanimously supported a non-binding motion back in May, urging the government to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity. This move follows a similar Conservative motion that passed in 2018, with critics highlighting the delay in taking action against the group. The Opposition Tories criticized Prime Minister Trudeau’s inaction, stating that it allowed the IRGC to strengthen its operations within Canada, causing distress to many Iranian Canadians who sought refuge in the country.
The Liberals have previously expressed concerns that designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization could impact individuals who were forced to join the group. However, LeBlanc emphasized that the decision was not influenced by social media comments or political pressure but was based on advice from security services and foreign policy considerations.
The tragic downing of a Ukrainian Airlines plane in early 2020, which resulted in the loss of 85 Canadian citizens and permanent residents, further fueled calls to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly maintained that the decision was not made under pressure from the U.S. but was a result of consultations with G7 partners and other countries in the region.
With the IRGC now classified as a terrorist entity, supporting the group is a Criminal Code offense in Canada. Justice Minister Arif Virani explained that there is a heightened criminal intent requirement for prosecutions related to this provision. The government had previously banned numerous Iranian government officials from entering Canada, including high-ranking IRGC members. The Quds Force, a branch of the IRGC, was already listed as a terrorist entity in Canada.
LeBlanc also mentioned that current and former senior Iranian government officials residing in Canada could face investigations and potential removal from the country. The IRGC now joins the ranks of other designated terrorist entities, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Taliban.
In recent times, Canada imposed sanctions on Iran’s defense minister and top military body following an attack by the IRGC on Israel. This move was in response to an airstrike, believed to be carried out by Israel, that targeted Iran’s embassy in Syria.
By officially designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization, Canada aims to send a strong message against state-sponsored terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens both at home and abroad.