Canada Lists IRGC as Terrorist Organization After Years of Pressure

Canada Designates Iran’s IRGC as a Terrorist Organization
The Canadian federal government has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under Canada’s Criminal Code. This announcement, made by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, comes after years of pressure from various groups, including families of Flight PS752 victims, the Iranian Canadian community, and political parties such as the Conservatives and NDP.
The IRGC, a branch of the Iranian armed forces directly answering to Iran’s supreme leader, was involved in the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in January 2020, killing 175 passengers, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. The designation as a terrorist entity allows Canadian authorities to charge individuals who support the group and enables banks to freeze its assets.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly warned Canadians in Iran to return home, citing increased risks of arbitrary detention following the announcement. The decision to list the IRGC was based on security services’ advice and foreign policy considerations, according to Minister LeBlanc.
The move has been welcomed by various groups and political figures. Hamed Esmaeilion, who lost family members on Flight PS752, expressed relief at the decision, while Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong criticized the delay in action, attributing it to recent increases in the Iranian regime’s capabilities in North America.
The Trudeau government had previously faced criticism for not listing the IRGC sooner, citing potential unfair impacts on Iranians who were conscripted into the IRGC and later fled to Canada. Justice Minister Arif Virani emphasized a careful and measured approach to this decision.
The designation aligns Canada with actions taken by the U.S., which listed the IRGC as a terrorist organization in 2019. The IRGC’s known associations with other terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah were also cited in the government’s announcement. Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, welcomed the designation, recognizing its importance for regional and international security.