On June 19, 2024, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced that the Government of Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, effective today.

Based on their actions, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the IRGC has knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated terrorist activity, or has knowingly acted on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with an entity that has knowingly carried out terrorist activity. Listing the IRGC means that they are a terrorist group.

The decision to list the IRGC through the Criminal Code listing regime sends a strong message that Canada will use all tools at its disposal to combat the terrorist activity of the IRGC, conducted both unilaterally and in knowing association with listed terrorist entities such as Hizballah and Hamas.

As a now-listed entity, the IRGC meets the definition of a “terrorist group” under Canada’s Criminal Code. As an immediate consequence of this listing, Canadian financial institutions, such as banks and brokerages, are required to immediately freeze the property of a listed entity. It is a criminal offence for anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by a terrorist group.

In this context, a gathering was held at the Vancouver Art Gallery, and many political and civil activists praised the government's decision, believing it should have been done sooner. However, what are the consequences of listing the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) as a terrorist organization in Canada for Iranian-Canadian citizens? The Canadian Foreign Minister has warned against travelling to Iran after this decision, as the Islamic Republic government may harass Iranian Canadians in retaliation.

This decision has pleased the Iranian community in Canada. We spoke with four civil and political activists to get their perspectives. One of the guests, Vahid, is a victim of the IRGC, having lost four family members in the IRGC missile attack on the Ukrainian flight PS752. Vahid is happy with this decision but believes that the IRGC might still find other ways to enter Canada and threaten citizens' safety.

Reza Houshmand, an experienced and long-standing accountant in Vancouver with an economics background, talked about the low level of economic exchange between Canada and Iran. He said Iran's economy is in the grip of the IRGC, and Canada has had no economic relations with Iran for over ten years due to the severance of diplomatic ties. However, the IRGC might inject money to buy real estate in Canada, transferring some of its economic capabilities here to use them when needed.

Zhina Ebrahimi, a Kurdish political activist, and her family have been repeatedly harassed by the IRGC and Islamic government agents. Zhina attended the Saturday, June 22, gathering at the Art Gallery and believes that the IRGC has played a significant role in the killing of people and suppressing civil protests.

Dr. Saeed Ganjizadeh, another guest, believes that not only the IRGC but also the Islamic regime must end in Iran. He spoke about the role of the medical community in public protests and emphasized that many doctors stood by the people, sacrificing their lives.

Journalist: Majid Mahichi

Skyrise Media Society