Defence Minister Bill Blair says the federal government is “absolutely committed” to removing individuals who are connected to the Iranian regime or sponsor terrorism around the world. His comments came amid reports that a second alleged senior Iranian official will be deported from Canada.
“When individuals have been involved in activity that would make them ineligible to be in this country, we‘ll do everything we can to keep them out,” Mr. Blair told reporters on Dec. 13. “And when they do get into this country, we’ll do everything we can to remove them.”
The Canadian government has launched a case against Iranmanesh Majid, who faces possible deportation under sanctions introduced in 2022 banning senior members of the Iranian regime from Canada.
The case was scheduled to begin on Jan. 17, 2024, and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) will conduct hearings to decide whether there are sufficient grounds to deport Mr. Majid due to his ties to the Iranian regime.
Canada’s ban on senior members of the Iranian regime, implemented on Nov. 14, 2022, applies to those who have “perpetrated crimes against the people of Iran and other nations.” The ban covers heads of state, cabinet members, ambassadors, senior diplomats, military officials, and judges from Iran.
“In addition to being banned from entering Canada, current and former senior officials present here may be investigated and removed from the country,” reads a press release from CBSA.
‘Cooperation’ Required to Remove Individuals
Mr. Blair said individuals who have been involved with the Iranian regime or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), or who sponsor terrorism around the world, should be removed from Canada if the RCMP or CBSA become aware of information indicating their involvement.“We need the cooperation of the community. We need information in order to deal effectively with these individuals,” Mr. Blair added.
Mr. Blair said that while the federal government is concerned about the Iranian regime’s activities, it should be careful not to suggest that Iranians are not welcome in the country.
“But there are some individuals whose history demonstrates that they are not appropriate for entry into Canada, and we'll do everything necessary to protect Canada’s national interests,” he said during a press conference in Ottawa last week.
