We at the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Hon. Chrystia Freeland and Hon. Ahmed Hussen on their new roles as the new Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, respectively. We also thank former Ministers Hon. Stéphane Dion and Hon. John McCallum for their hard work and dedication to building a more inclusive and welcoming environment in Canada and wish them luck in their future endeavors.

 

Specifically, we would like to thank Hon. Stéphane Dion for the time and effort he dedicated towards adopting a fresh approach towards Canada-Iran relations and for working to secure the release of Dr. Homa Hoodfar. We would also like to thank John McCallum for his work on the proposed immigration and citizenship Bill C-6 and the settlement of Syrian refugees in Canada.

 

Finally, the ICC looks forward to working with the newly appointed Ministers. We ask Minister Chrystia Freeland to continue the policy of re-engagement with Iran in the hopes of re-establishing diplomatic relations with Iran and reopening the embassies of both countries in Tehran and Ottawa. We also request Minister Ahmed Hussen to continue pursuing proposed changes under Bill C6 until it is passed into law and to pursue additional measures to help skilled immigrant workers better integrate into the Canadian job market.