441-00947 (Foreign affairs)

The Government has, and will continue to, support the families of the victims of Flight PS752. Canada has opened new pathways to permanent residency for families of survivors, provided mental health support, and is committed to holding the Iranian regime responsible for its horrific actions.

Additionally, the Government remains deeply concerned by the recent developments in Iran, particularly by the actions of the Iranian state towards women, girls and other peaceful protestors. The Iranian regime’s lethal response to the nonviolent demonstrations once again highlights their blatant disregard for human rights.

As such, Canada has robust measures in place against Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Corps (IRGC).

On November 14, 2022, Canada designated the Islamic Republic of Iran under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), for the regime’s engagement in terrorism and continuous and gross human rights violations. As a result, tens of thousands of prominent Iranian government officials, including IRGC senior officials, are now permanently inadmissible to Canada. In addition to being banned from entering Canada, current and former senior officials who are presently in the country may be investigated and deported.

Furthermore, Canada has imposed vigorous sanctions against the Iranian regime and its leadership under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA), which explicitly targets the IRGC and several sub-organizations, including the IRGC Air Force and Air Force Missile Command. Since October 2022, Canada added additional 84 individuals and 25 entities to the 202 Iranian entities and individuals already on the SEMA list. Under the provisions of SEMA, any person in Canada or any Canadian outside Canada are prohibited from dealing in any property, that is owned, held or controlled by a listed person or by a person acting on behalf of a listed person or from providing any financial or related service. As a result, all of a listed individual’s assets in Canada are effectively frozen.

Once Bill S-8, an Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, becomes law, it will align the IRPA with SEMA to ensure that all foreign nationals subject to sanctions under SEMA will also be inadmissible to Canada.

Canada also lists Iran as a State Supporter of Terrorism under the State Immunity Act. This designation, together with the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act, allows victims to bring civil actions against Iran for losses or damages relating to terrorism.

The Criminal Code’s list of terrorist entities is another tool that helps to prevent the use of Canada’s financial system to further terrorist activity, and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences. The IRGC-Qods Force is Iran’s primary mechanism for cultivating and supporting terrorist groups abroad by providing arms, funding and training, and has been listed since 2012. The Government has also listed terrorist entities that have benefited from Iran’s patronage, including Hizballah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Taliban, and three regional militias.

The Government remains committed to seeking accountability for Iran’s downing of Flight PS752, its human rights violations, and for its support of terrorism.