What is Being Done to Prevent People Associated with the IRGC From Coming to Canada?

On November 28, 2023, Senator Omidvar asked Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate, when the government will act on the motions passed in the House of Commons and Senate, and what is being done to prevent individuals associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from coming to Canada. Watch:

Hon. Ratna Omidvar: My question to the Leader of the Government in the Senate is about the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. It is pervasive, widespread and the primary instrument that keeps a murderous Islamic regime in power in Iran. It is implicated in torture, kidnapping and executions, not just within but also possibly outside of Iran.

Leader, when will the government consider and take action on the two motions passed unanimously in the House of Commons and in this chamber? And if it will not, why not?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Well, as the Government Representative in the Senate, I’m pleased to again rise on this issue. The government takes very seriously, as do I, the pernicious role that the regime in Iran is taking, whether in its own country or all corners of the world. As I have stated on many occasions, senator, the government has taken very serious action to impose sanctions on large segments of the administration apparatus within the regime, banning IRGC officials from Canada forever and imposing sanctions on elites and the security forces, as well as on their economic and security apparatus. It will continue to consider further measures in order to register its abhorrence of the actions of the regime.

Senator Omidvar: Senator Gold, this is not some abstract idea that only reaches into the lives of Iranians in Iran. It is actually present here in Canada, with the unexplainable presence of visitors or residents in Canada who are associated with the IRGC. Iranians in Canada tell me that this is salt in the wound. What are we doing to prevent the arrival of individuals closely associated with the IRGC? How are we protecting Iranian Canadians?

Senator Gold: The government has done a great deal in order to identify — in a focused way that protects Iranian citizens, whether here or elsewhere, who are not part of the regime — and continue to monitor, as it generally does, all such activities to ensure that Canadians and Iranian citizens in Canada are protected.