Canada Must Do More to Avoid Becoming a Safe Haven for Iran’s Regime, Iranian Canadians Warn
Documents Unsealed by Foreign Interference Commission
The foreign interference commission has unsealed documents summarizing public consultations held with the Iranian diaspora last year. The consultations focused on foreign interference and what can be done to address it. Iranian Canadians called for better screening to weed out regime officials who served in the government of the Islamic republic before arriving in Canada.
Presence of Iranian Government Officials in Canada
According to the commission, certain attendees talked about the presence of Iranian government officials who were involved in criminal activities and human rights abuses in Canada. Community members also told the inquiry that Iranian Canadian community organizations have been infiltrated and taken over by persons acting on behalf of the Iranian regime.
Iranian Regime’s Influence in Canada
Tehran-born human rights activist Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay said that Canada is known as a safe haven for Islamic regime officials and their families. She described experiencing feelings of despair upon seeing the children of Iranian regime officials driving fancy cars around Vancouver. She also claimed that realtors worked with officials to park their money in B.C.
Border Agents Need More Awareness and Training
Afshin-Jam MacKay suggested that border agents need more awareness and training, and should use the public online database Faces of Crimes, which documents the abuses of regime officials in Iran. Another witness told the inquiry that a former Iranian police chief was spotted in Richmond Hill, Ont., and a former Iranian cabinet minister took a summer vacation in Montreal.
Iranian Regime’s Agenda in Canada
The Iranian regime wants to exert influence in Canada because there is a large and well-educated Iranian diaspora, according to a witness. Another witness suggested establishing a section within Canada’s immigration or foreign affairs departments to scrutinize immigration applications from Iran.
Recent Assassination Plots Linked to Iran
Recent assassination plots linked to Iran have targeted outspoken critics of the clerical regime, among them Irwin Cotler, a former Liberal MP. Iranian dissidents have been threatened in Canada and that their families in Iran have been contacted by Iranian officials, according to a summary of a presentation by Javad Soleimani.
Canadian Government’s Response
The Canadian government announced in November 2022 that it had banned senior regime officials from the country in response to Tehran’s suppression of women’s rights demonstrations. Since then, a dozen-and-a-half suspected top regime members have so far been identified by immigration enforcement investigators, but only three deportation hearings have been completed.
Conclusion
The documents unsealed by the foreign interference commission highlight the need for Canada to take further action to prevent the country from becoming a safe haven for members of Iran’s regime. Iranian Canadians are calling for better screening and more awareness and training for border agents. The Canadian government must take steps to address the Iranian regime’s influence in Canada and protect the safety and security of its citizens.
FAQs
Q: What is the foreign interference commission?
A: The foreign interference commission is an independent body that investigates and reports on foreign interference in Canada.
Q: What did the documents unsealed by the foreign interference commission reveal?
A: The documents revealed that Iranian Canadians are concerned about the presence of Iranian government officials in Canada and the regime’s influence in the country.
Q: What did Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay say about Canada being a safe haven for Islamic regime officials and their families?
A: She said that Canada is known as a safe haven for Islamic regime officials and their families, and that it is a source of trauma for Iranian Canadians to see officials from the Islamic regime in Canada.
Q: What did Javad Soleimani say about the Iranian regime’s agenda in Canada?
A: He said that the Iranian regime wants to exert influence in Canada because there is a large and well-educated Iranian diaspora, and that Iran has been actively promoting its agenda through mosques and community groups.