Here is a response from the office of Hon. Chrystia Freeland regarding Canada's Iran policy and the recent motion passed against Iran in the House of Commons:

Dear Iranian Canadian Congress,


Thank you for writing to Chrystia regarding Canada’s relationship with Iran.


I want to assure you that Canada supports an effective rules-based international order, and that our government believes that the JCPOA, which was agreed to with Iran in 2015 and endorsed by the UN Security Council, is essential for ensuring regional and global security. While the JCPOA is not perfect, it has helped to curb a real threat to international peace and security.


Chrystia, in her capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, has issued a public statement reaffirming our support for the JCPOA. Additionally, the G7 Foreign Ministers, while meeting in Toronto recently, agreed that they are “committed to permanently ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful, in line with its Non Proliferation Treaty obligations and its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.”


Canada has also provided $11.5 million in voluntary contributions to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) specifically to support the Agency’s work with respect to its mandate in monitoring and verifying Iran’s implementation of its JCPOA commitments. Canada is one of the leading contributors to the IAEA.


Nevertheless, our government places extremely high value on ensuring safety and providing consular assistance for Canadians in distress abroad. Our support of the recent motion proceeds deep shock and concern at the death of Canadian citizen Dr. Kavous Seyed Emami as our government continues to demand answers regarding his death and detention from the Iranian government. We are also outraged that his widow, Mrs. Maryam Mombeini, a Canadian citizen, has been barred from leaving Iran.


Present discussions with the Government of Iran are focused on ensuring Maryam Mombeini’s return home and on the death of Professor Seyed Emami. Minister Freeland also continues to raise the consular case of Saeed Malekpour who has been in prison in Iran for years directly with Iran’s Foreign Minister and with their UN Permanent Representative.


As we continue to work closely with our allies and partners to hold Iran to account, a key component of continued diplomacy must include the safety and well-being of our citizens.


Thank you again for your engagement on this important issue.


Warm regards,


Miranda S.

Office of the Hon. Chrystia Freeland

July 30, 2018