Poilievre Criticizes Trudeau Govt Over Delayed IRGC Terrorist Designation

After years of pressure and growing calls for action, the Canadian Liberal government has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. This decision was announced on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in the country's stance towards the IRGC.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc addressed the media outside the House of Commons, stating that the government had obtained "very, very strong and compelling evidence" justifying the listing of the IRGC under the Criminal Code. This designation, effective June 19, criminalizes any participation in or contribution to the group's activities and allows the Canadian government to freeze the assets of IRGC members.

The announcement follows a prolonged period of debate and pressure. Six years ago, the House of Commons, including Liberal members, supported a motion to label the IRGC as a terrorist entity. A similar motion was unanimously passed in the Commons last month. This new designation now mandates Canadian financial institutions to immediately freeze the property of any listed entities. Engaging in transactions with property owned or controlled by the IRGC is now a criminal offense in Canada.

LeBlanc faced questions regarding the delay in this designation, a move that members of the Iranian diaspora have been demanding for years. He explained that Canada’s intelligence and security agencies conduct ongoing reviews of global entities to determine if they meet the criteria for being labeled as terrorist organizations. "There’s literally a monthly review by the security agencies," he noted, emphasizing that the decision was based on a thorough and deliberative process.

The IRGC, a crucial segment of the Iranian military established after the 1979 revolution, has been linked to various terrorist activities and militias across the Middle East, including Hamas. The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center describes the IRGC as Iran’s primary organization for executing covert operations outside the country. The group has been involved in numerous global plots, providing guidance, funding, training, and weapons to Shia militant proxies.

In its 2023 report, the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) highlighted the Iranian regime's persistent foreign interference operations in Canada, aimed at silencing political dissidents. The report warned of continued and potentially escalating Iranian threats to Canada and its allies in 2024.

Despite the new designation, the Liberals have expressed concerns about its potential unintended consequences. Justice Minister Arif Virani emphasized that conscription into the IRGC during mandatory service would be a crucial factor under the Criminal Code. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly also warned that the designation increases the risk of arbitrary detention for Canadians in Iran, urging Canadians to leave the country or avoid traveling there.

Both Conservative and NDP members criticized the Liberals for their delayed response. Conservative MPs Michael Chong and Melissa Lantsman accused Prime Minister Trudeau of allowing the IRGC to strengthen due to inaction, while NDP MP Heather McPherson expressed hope that the announcement would bring relief to Iranian-Canadians targeted by the regime.

National security expert Thomas Juneau argued that targeted sanctions against Iranian regime members would be more effective than the terrorist designation, citing Canada’s challenges in enforcing existing sanctions. He suggested that the decision was more politically expedient than strategically sound.

Why This Matters: The designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization marks a pivotal change in Canada's approach to handling Iran's military influence. This move aims to curb the IRGC's ability to operate within Canada and support international terrorism, while addressing long-standing concerns within the Iranian-Canadian community.

Key Takeaways

• Canada has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
• This decision criminalizes participation in IRGC activities and allows the government to freeze their assets.
• The move comes after six years of political pressure and recent unanimous support in the House of Commons.
• Justice Minister and Foreign Minister highlighted potential risks and considerations for Canadians.
• National security experts suggest targeted sanctions may be more effective than the terrorist designation.