Date: August 13, 2026

Dear Prime Minister,

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC), the largest non-governmental non-religious and non-partisan democratic organization representing Iranian Canadians, calls on the Canadian government to restore consular and diplomatic relations with Iran.

The ICC welcomes your sensible statement in this regard that "Engagement is not endorsement; Having an embassy having consular services in a country does not mean we endorse the policies of that country." Indeed, diplomatic engagement based on mutual respect is the only path towards peaceful coexistence and cooperation.

Canada is home to a large and growing community of Iranian Canadians. Since the closure of the Iranian Embassy in Canada by the order of Harper’s government in 2012, Iranian Canadians have been deprived of access to essential Iranian consular services in Canada. Obtaining consular services through third countries has imposed significant logistical, financial, and psychological burdens on Iranian Canadians. Hence, the restoration of Iranian consular services in Canada has become a widely supported demand within our community, as demonstrated by the 2026 ICC survey.

Canada has acceded to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), an international treaty that codifies consular rights and obligations and is the cornerstone of consular relations. The VCCR prohibits a host state from discriminating between other states in authorizing their provision of consular services in the host country. The VCCR asserts that even the severance of diplomatic relations shall not necessarily involve the severance of consular relations.

Denying Iranian Canadians access to Iranian consular services in Canada is contrary to international norms and the VCCR, and constitutes discrimination against Canadian citizens based on their heritage. It is a systemic injustice long overdue to be corrected.

Restoring consular and diplomatic relations between Iran and Canada is not an endorsement of either state’s policies by the other. It simply respects the rights of Iranian Canadians to access consular services like other Canadians with dual citizenship. It also opens the door to potential, mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Hence, we call upon the Government of Canada to formally announce its decision and take the necessary steps to restore Iranian consular services and authorize the reopening of the Iranian Embassy in Canada.

Yours sincerely,

Iranian Canadian Congress

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