Canadian PM Stops Short Of Designating Iran's IRGC

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed concerns about the impact of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during a speech on Wednesday.

While he refrained from directly answering Iranian journalist Negar Mojtahedi's questions whether Canada would consider listing the IRGC as a terrorist entity, Trudeau emphasized the government's commitment to monitoring and taking responsible measures against the IRGC's influence.

In response to questions regarding the more than 700 Iranian regime-linked individuals reportedly living freely in Canada, Trudeau stated, "We continue to watch and make sure that we're able to do everything we can that is responsible against the impact of the IRGC." However, he did not explicitly commit to designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

Trudeau asserted that Canada would persist in holding the Iranian regime accountable, limiting its global impact, and protecting Canadians. He highlighted the ongoing efforts of security services and police agencies to ensure the safety of Canadians.

The Prime Minister's remarks come against the backdrop of increased scrutiny on the IRGC following the downing of the PS752 Ukrainian passenger airliner in January 2020, resulting in the loss of Canadian lives. Despite calls from the Iranian Canadian community, Trudeau has not committed to labeling the IRGC as a terrorist group, citing factors such as mandatory military service that compel some Iranians to join the organization.

Critics argue that existing measures, including expanded sanctions and amendments to the Magnitsky legislation, are insufficient to address the issue of regime-connected officials residing in Canada. The debate surrounding the designation of the IRGC continues, with members of the diaspora expressing concerns about accountability for crimes committed abroad by those holding Canadian citizenship.