Canada sanctions more Iran guard corps members, police after Toronto rally criticism

Ottawa is adding more Iranian individuals and companies to its sanctions list after the government faced heavy criticism at a diaspora event this weekend.

The new sanctions apply to eight people, as well as a company that creates armoured vehicles and a cybersecurity training institute.

The Tehran commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of Iran’s military known as the IRGC, is on the list, as are officials involved in using drones and ballistic missiles in regions of Iran populated by minority groups.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says “it’s time to end the cycle of violence and to forge a new path built on peace, security and stability” in Iran.

The sanctions follow criticism of the Liberals this weekend at a large rally called the Tirgan Festival at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, where multiple speakers called on Ottawa to list the entire IRGC as a terrorist organization.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has argued that doing so would punish Canadians who were drafted into Iran’s military by force, but activist Masih Alinejad told the rally that Trudeau’s reluctance means he is at fault for Canadians dying when the IRGC shot down Flight PS752 in 2020.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2023