Iranian Canadian Congress Calls for Independent Foreign Policy; Receives Response from Prime Minister’s Office

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) has urged the federal government to adopt a more independent and balanced foreign policy, outlining its position in a formal letter addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney. The letter, dated March 24, 2025, was sent shortly after Carney assumed office, and included three key recommendations aimed at enhancing Canada’s diplomatic stance and global credibility.

In the letter, ICC President Dr. Saideh Khadir congratulated Mark Carney on his election and emphasized the importance of a foreign policy that reflects justice, inclusivity, and peace. The Congress made the following recommendations:

 1. Reassessment of Policies Affecting Individuals with Mandatory IRGC Service: ICC urged the federal government to re-evaluate policies that may unfairly penalize Iranian Canadians who were compelled to serve in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) due to mandatory conscription in Iran, emphasizing that such service is often unavoidable and not reflective of individual ideology.

 2. Reestablishment of Consular Services with Iran: The ICC called for restoring diplomatic channels between Canada and Iran, noting that the lack of consular services since 2012 hampers engagement and support for Canadian citizens abroad.

 3. Unbiased Position on the Israel-Palestine Conflict: The organization advocated for Canada to adopt a principled, neutral stance to promote lasting peace in the Middle East and strengthen Canada’s role as an impartial global mediator.

The Office of the Prime Minister responded on April 2, 2025, with Executive Correspondence Officer A. Opalick acknowledging receipt of the letter. Opalick confirmed that Prime Minister Carney appreciated the ICC’s congratulations and the thoughtful input offered. Furthermore, the correspondence was forwarded to the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, for further review and consideration.

The ICC welcomes the acknowledgment, stating that engagement with the government on these matters is a positive step toward ensuring that Canada’s foreign policy reflects both Canadian values and the diverse perspectives of its citizens.

The exchange highlights growing calls within diaspora communities for Canada to re-examine its international approach and underscores the role civic organizations play in shaping national policy discourse.

کنگره ایرانیان کانادا خواستار سیاست خارجی مستقل شد؛ پاسخ نخست‌وزیر دریافت شد.

کنگره ایرانیان کانادا (ICC) در نامه‌ای رسمی خطاب به نخست‌وزیر مارک کارنی، از دولت فدرال خواست تا سیاست خارجی مستقل‌تر و متعادل‌تری را در پیش گیرد. این نامه که در تاریخ ۲۴ مارس ۲۰۲۵ ارسال شده، تنها چند روز پس از آغاز به کار نخست‌وزیر جدید نگاشته شده و شامل سه پیشنهاد کلیدی برای تقویت جایگاه دیپلماتیک کانادا در سطح جهانی است.

در این نامه، دکتر آرزو خدیر، رئیس کنگره ایرانیان کانادا، ضمن تبریک به نخست‌وزیر کارنی بابت انتخابش، بر اهمیت اتخاذ سیاست خارجی مبتنی بر عدالت، شمول‌گرایی و صلح تأکید کرده است. سه پیشنهاد اصلی مطرح‌شده عبارتند از:

۱. بازنگری در سیاست‌های مربوط به افراد دارای خدمت اجباری در سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی (IRGC): کنگره خواستار بازبینی سیاست‌هایی شد که ممکن است به ناحق ایرانیانی را که به‌صورت اجباری در سپاه خدمت کرده‌اند، متضرر کند. این نامه تأکید دارد که خدمت در ایران اجباری است و بسیاری از افراد در انتخاب محل خدمت خود اختیاری ندارند.

۲. بازگشایی خدمات کنسولی با ایران: کنگره ایرانیان کانادا خواهان ازسرگیری روابط دیپلماتیک و خدمات کنسولی میان کانادا و ایران شد. از سال ۲۰۱۲ تاکنون، این روابط قطع شده‌اند و نبود آن موجب اختلال در حمایت از شهروندان کانادایی در ایران و کاهش توان دیپلماتیک کانادا در منطقه شده است.

۳. اتخاذ موضع بی‌طرفانه در قبال مناقشه اسرائیل و فلسطین: کنگره از دولت خواست تا موضعی بی‌طرف و اصول‌محور در قبال درگیری اسرائیل و فلسطین اتخاذ کند.

The nomination window for the upcoming ICC election was closed on April 17, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET. The ICC has received emails from the following individuals (ordered alphabetically): 

1. Ms. Manizheh Babaei: Ms. Manizheh Babaei has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement. While she is currently an ICC member, upon reviewing her membership history, it was realized that she does not meet the nomination criterion of being a regular member with “good standing for at least one year prior to the election” as outlined in the by-laws.
2. Mr. Daniel Bagheri: Mr. Daniel Bagheri has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement and has been a member in good standing for the past year. 
3. Ms. Mona Borghei: Ms. Borghei has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement and has been a member in good standing for the past year. 
4. Ms. Mona Ghassemi: Ms. Mona Ghassemi has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement and has been a member in good standing for the past year. 
5. Mr. Mahdi Ghamari: Mr. Mahdi Ghamari has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement. While he is currently an ICC member, upon reviewing his membership history, it was realized that he does not meet the nomination criterion of being a regular member with “good standing for at least one year prior to the election” as outlined in the by-laws.
6. Ms. Asoudeh Novin: Ms. Novin has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement and has been a member in good standing for the past year. 
7. Mr. Mehdi Shams: Mr. Mehdi Shams has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement. While he is currently an ICC member, upon reviewing his membership history, it was realized that he does not meet the nomination criterion of being a regular member with “good standing for at least one year prior to the election” as outlined in the by-laws. 
8. Ms. Raheleh Tarani: Ms. Tarani has provided all documents requested in the nomination announcement and has been a member in good standing for the past year.
   

   According to the ICC by-laws, candidates, who do not meet the criterion of being a regular member with good standing for at least one year prior to the election, can request for an exemption from the members. To facilitate such a request, members will be asked if they are in favour of granting such an exemption in this election on the election ballot. If approved by the members, candidates who are an ICC member but do not meet the 1-year requirement, i.e. Ms. Babaei, Mr. Ghamari and Mr. Shams will be exempted, and if elected, can serve as an ICC director. 

   A public meeting to introduce AGM 2025 election candidates will be held on April 20th at 1 PM ET (10 AM PT) which will be online through Teams. 

   You can also find 2024 financial statement of Iranian Canadian Congress uploaded on the website. 

   Having said the above, the following eight candidates will run for the upcoming ICC election to fill the seven spots on the Board of Directors. (ordered alphabetically): 

   1. 1. Ms. Manizheh Babaei
      2. Mr. Daniel Bagheri
      3. Ms. Mona Borghei
      4. Ms. Mona Ghassemi
      5. Mr. Mahdi Ghamari
      6. Ms. Asoudeh Novin
         
      7. Mr. Mehdi Shams
      8. Ms. Raheleh Tarani
   
   As communicated previously with you, the next ICC annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on May 4 from 1 PM ET (10 AM PT) through a videoconferencing platform. Please note that only ICC members who have joined/renewed their membership by April 25, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET will be entitled to attend the upcoming AGM and vote in the election.  
   

   The ICC election committee 

I am Mona Borghei, a Montessori teacher and author with a deep passion for peace, diplomacy, and the well-being of children. I hold a degree in Persian Literature from Allameh Tabatabaei University in Iran, a diploma in Montessori education from the United States, and a Canadian certificate in Early Childhood Education. I believe the world should be a peaceful and safe place for children.
As a peace advocate, I support diplomatic relations between Iran and Canada and have consistently worked to foster understanding and cooperation between communities. During my previous term as a board member of the Iranian Canadian Congress, I prioritized the needs of the Iranian Canadian community based on a range of public surveys. That is why I dedicated most of my time to the Mental Health Committee. My goal has always been to promote policies and initiatives that amplify the voice and enhance the well-being of our Iranian community in Canada.

من، منابرقعی، آموزگار، نویسنده و فعال صلح‌طلب هستم با رویکردی مبتنی بر دیپلماسی، صلح جهانی و زندگی بهتر برای کودکان. دانش‌آموخته زبان و ادبیات فارسی در دانشگاه علامه طباطبایی، دارای مدرک آموزگاری مونته‌سوری از ایالات متحده آمریکا، و دیپلم آموزش کودکان از کانادا هستم. باور دارم که جهان باید مکانی امن، آرام  برای رشد و شکوفایی همه کودکان باشد. همین باور، مسیر حرفه‌ای و اجتماعی‌ام را شکل داده است. در مقام یک کنشگر صلح طلب ، از گسترش روابط دیپلماتیک میان ایران و کانادا حمایت می‌کنم و همواره در راستای تقویت درک متقابل و همزیستی میان جوامع، به‌ویژه جامعه ایرانی کانادایی، تلاش کرده‌ام.
در دوره‌ی عضویتم در هیئت‌مدیره کنگره ایرانیان کانادا، نیازهای جامعه را بر پایه‌ی نظرسنجی‌های عمومی اولویت‌بندی کرده و بخش عمده‌ای از فعالیت‌هایم را به کارگروه سلامت روان اختصاص دادم. هدفم همواره پیشبرد طرح هایی بوده که به تقویت صدای ایرانیان و ارتقا کیفیت زندگی آنها در کانادا کمک می کنند.

به جرات میتوانم بگویم که یکی از فعالترین و با تجربه ترین افراد در رابطه با کنگره ایرانیان از سال
۲۰۱۲ میباشم. این ششمین بار است که در انتخابات کنگره ایرانیان شرکت میکنم. هر بار که در
انتخابات کنگره شرکت کرده‌ام اطلاعات شخصی، تحصیلی، تجربی و برنامه خود را در سایت خود در
دسترس همگان قرار داده ام. ترجیح میدهم که بیشتر در باره برنامه‌ای که قصد دارم در زمان
فعالیت‌های انتخاباتی و در طی سال آینده به اجرا در بیاورم سخن بگویم.
من به هیچ وجه از فعالیت‌‌های هفده‌ساله این نهاد راضی نبوده و به همین دلیل توجه خود را بیشتر
برای بوجود آوردن تحول در این نهاد پر اهمیت متمرکز کرده‌ام.
مختصری از برنامه کمپین انتخاباتی
۱- حداکثر فعالیت در اطلاع رسانی از موجودیت کنگره ایرانیان، بخصوص برای تازه واردین و ترغیب
به پیوستن به آن.
۲- متقاعد کردن نامزد‌‌های انتخاباتی جهت استعفای جمعی در پایان سال اول، استعفاء در صورت
تقاضای کتبی و علنی ۵۰٪ اعضاء، بدون آنکه نیازی به تشکیل مجمع عمومی فوق‌العاده باشد.
۳- متقاعد کردن کاندیدا‌ها برای در اختیار گذاردن شماره و ایمیل تماس خود که حتی بعد از پیوستن به
هییت مدیره امکان تماس مستقیم با آنها وجود داشته باشد.
مختصری از برنامه سال آینده
۱- تشکیل کمیته دائم دموکراسی جهت آموزش و نظارت بر عملکرد دموکرایتک این نهاد
۲- تشکیل کمیته دائم بازسازی کنگره و رفع موانع در فراگیری و مشارکت
در این راستا تغییرات سریع و موقتی را لازم میبینم:
- تمرکز بر فعالیت‌های خدماتی
- انتخاب هر ساله کلیه اعضای هییت مدیره
- تقلیل دوره دوساله هییت مدیره به یکسال
- تشکیل هییت مدیره‌های محلی با حداقل سه عضو
- رفع مشکل اساسی پیوستن به کنگره، نحوه استفاده از حق عضویت‌‌ها، انتخابات سالم
- تشکیل انجمن اعضای کنگره ایرانیان
- اختیاری بودن حق عضویت برای کسانی که برای اولین بار به عضویت کنگره در میایند
- شرط جلب ۲۰ عضو جدید برای نامزد‌‌های انتخاباتی
برای اطلاعات کاملتر به سایت مهدی شمس مراجعه کنید:
www.medishams.com

I can confidently say that I’ve been one of the most active and experienced individuals involved
with the Iranian Canadian Congress since 2012. This is the sixth time I’m running in its

elections. Every time I’ve participated, I’ve publicly shared my personal, academic, and
professional background, as well as my campaign plans, on my website.
I prefer to focus on the goals I plan to pursue during the campaign period and over the coming
year.
Frankly, I am not at all satisfied with the Congress’s performance over the past 17 years, which
is why I’ve directed my efforts toward bringing real change to this important institution.

A brief overview of my election campaign platform:
1. Maximize outreach to inform the community about the Iranian Canadian
Congress—especially newcomers—and encourage them to join.
2. Persuade candidates to agree to collectively resign at the end of the first year, or step
down if 50% of the members submit a written and public request, without the need for a
special general meeting (SGM).
3. Encourage candidates to provide their phone number and email so members can
maintain direct contact even after they join the board.

A brief outline of my next year’s action plan:
1. Establish a Permanent Democracy Committee to educate and oversee democratic
practices within the organization.
2. Form a Permanent Reform Committee to restructure the Congress and eliminate
barriers to participation and inclusivity.
In this context, I believe certain swift and temporary changes are necessary:
 Focus on community service activities
 Annual election of all board members
 Reduce board terms from two years to one
 Establish local boards with a minimum of three members
 Resolve key issues around membership, dues management, and election integrity
 Create a Congress Members’ Association
 Waive membership fees for first-time members
 Require candidates to recruit 20 new members as a condition for nomination

For more detailed information, please visit my website:
www.medishams.com

Dr. Raheleh Tarani is a compassionate mental health professional with over 15 years of experience in various treatment and educational settings. She holds a PhD, MSc, and BA in Psychology from reputable universities in Iran, India, and the USA. As a research-oriented professional, she has published and presented various mental health-related research papers at national and international conferences.

Dr. Tarani is a strong advocate for mutual and democratic relationships among countries, believing that diplomacy, rather than coercion, encourages solidarity, peace, fairness, and integration. She sees this approach as the moral path to address injustices within societies and worldwide. Dr. Tarani opposes the expansionism of military blocs and the use of force in the multipolar world that is being formed, as she believes it can have undesirable consequences of separation of inhabitants of this tiny planet, reduction in peaceful production, and a decline in cooperation among humanity to solve fundamental challenges we face.

She is deeply committed to peace, human rights, equity, and providing equal opportunities. Dr. Tarani is against racism and discrimination, and she believes in the vast potential of human beings, recognizing that we can do better if we are healthier and are given equal opportunities.

Dr. Tarani has been heavily involved in political activism since her brother was killed during the Green Movement in Iran. She understands the importance of providing a platform for practicing peaceful, respectful, realistic, and rational dialogue among diverse community members with different ideological goals. As an Iranian Canadian, she believes in protecting the interests of Iranian Canadians and enhancing their performance and problem-solving in Canada.

Dr. Tarani's enriched understanding of diversity and ability to communicate in multiple languages including Turkish, Farsi (Persian), Urdu, Hindi, Panjabi, and Japanese, in addition to fluency in English, enables her to develop strong relationships with diverse populations.

Overall, Dr. Tarani's multifaceted experience and expertise have equipped her with the skills necessary to make a positive impact on the lives of others, both as a mental health professional and as an advocate for social justice and human rights.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Sharif Technical University in Tehran.
I have studied informatics at the Institute National Polytechnic of Grenoble.
I have a Diploma in Interior Decoration and Design from Stanford Institute in Canada.
I am a licensed Realtor in Canada.
I am a visual artist working in painting and sculpture.
I immigrated to Canada from Iran in 1995. I have been running my own small
business from 1996 to present.
I was part of the group that created the ICC, the mission being to help Iranian
Canadians know their rights in Canada and improve them. Further, to help
newcomers settle in Canada and to amplify the voice of Iranian Canadians in the
sociopolitical landscape in Canada.
I put my effort to find a common ground in this divisive and uncertain
atmosphere that destabilized and drained our community.
I would be very pleased to continue these efforts as member of ICC board of directors.

Mona Ghassemi is a returning candidate for the ICC Board of Directors, having served two years as Vice President, during which they were instrumental in representing ICC to Canada’s Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference. Mona has also been key in researching and preparing many of ICC’s statements in defence of democratic human rights in Canada in the context of the ongoing genocide in Palestine.  

Currently employed in the software industry, Mona received a Master’s of Cultural Anthropology from Concordia University for ethnographic thesis work regarding gender issues within the Iranian-Canadian community. Living in Montreal since the age of two, Mona has been actively involved in the Iranian community there for many years.

Mona spent two years on the Board of Directors of QPIRG Concordia, gaining experience in consensus-based decision-making. Their experience as a peer support volunteer at the Centre for Gender Advocacy, including a one-year training period in active listening and workshops on topics such as racism and indigenous solidarity, increased their perspective and empathy. Mona has also volunteered as the Montreal host for #BecauseWeveRead, an international book club started by Iranian-American activist Hoda Katebi, which included outreach to the Iranian-Canadian community. Mona has also had several media appearances where they have taken a position against war and foreign influence in Iran.

Mona is passionate about anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia, dialogue and bridge-building within the community, and solidarity with other racialized and marginalized groups in Canada.  

.

I am the founder of Diginesstor Consulting Corp., a digital marketing agency based in British Columbia and registered since 2021. I hold an MBA degree from the University Canada West (UCW) and have completed a specialized program in Digital Marketing Strategy from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Through my work, I have been helping Canadian businesses grow, both online and in traditional markets, by applying strategic marketing, technology, and data-driven insights.

Before founding my company, I worked as a Network Engineer at an IT company in Halifax, Nova Scotia, after moving to Canada in 2017. Prior to immigrating, I had over 10 years of professional experience in the banking industry in Iran, where I developed a deep understanding of finance, operations, and customer service.

My diverse background in banking, IT, and business development has equipped me with a well-rounded perspective and the ability to connect with a wide range of individuals and communities.

My core values are rooted in peace, equity, and community development. I strongly believe in non-military, diplomatic solutions to conflicts—particularly in the Middle East—and oppose any form of violence or occupation. I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian crises taking place, and I believe that Canada's role should be one of peacebuilding, mediation, and human rights advocacy, not military involvement.

As an immigrant and a proud member of the Iranian-Canadian community, I am committed to supporting fellow newcomers, especially Iranian immigrants, in adapting to life in Canada, accessing resources, and building successful careers and businesses. I believe the ICC can play a significant role in creating platforms for dialogue, inclusion, education, and community empowerment.

I believe that the ICC, as a Canadian non-partisan civic organization, must remain independent of political affiliations both in Iran and in Canada. Its primary mission should be to represent the interests of Iranian Canadians, promote civic engagement, and create a safe and respectful environment for open and constructive dialogue among our diverse community.

Daniel Bagheri, is a PhD candidate at the University of Kansas and a Canadian Human Rights advisor with Cuso International. He has been volunteering and working internationally for the better part of the past 7 years. Through his field work, Daniel has developed connections with tribal indigenous communities in Western Asia (Iran), Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras) and North America (Canada).  His work focuses on the application of Indigenous Peoples Rights/Human Rights discourses, and it impact in shaping social movements and questions of identity. 

Daniel has been an active member of the Iranian Canadian community. He has served as the president of the Iranian Canadian Association at the University of Guelph (2007-2012) and is currently a member of the Iranian Canadian Association of Immigration consultants. By joining the ICC Daniel aims to address the rising tensions within the Iranian Canadian community concerning issues of islamophobia, systematic discrimination, and political uncertainties abroad and at home.

من منیژه بابایی، متولد ایران و هم اکنون مقیم استان انتاریوی کانادا هستم. مدرک کارشناسیِ رشته "دبیری فیزیک" را در ایران گرفته ام و بعد از فارغ التحصیلی بعنوان معلم مشغول به کار شدم.
در سال ۲۰۱۵ به همراه خانواده به کانادا، استان مانیتوبا مهاجرت کردم و پس از طی دوره های تکمیلی در دانشگاه، بعنوان معلم جانشین در مدارس شهر وینیپگ مشغول بکار شدم.
در راستای کمک به کودکان و نوجوانان پناهجو، داوطبانه در موسسه IRCOM بعنوان معلم در کلاسهای After School Program  همکاری می کردم.
پس از مهاجرت دوم و نقل مکان به استان انتاریو، خانه را گوشه امن خود یافتم و مسئولیت مادری و همسری را در الویت قرار دادم. در حال حاضر آشپزی، شیرینی پزی، خیاطی، بافتنی، مطالعه و نوشتن نه تنها جزو علاقمندی هایم هستند بلکه جز لاینفک زندگی ام شده اند.

در دنیایی که جنگ، اشغال، نسل کشی، تحریم، نژادپرستی و اسلام‌هراسی عادیسازی می شود وظیفه خود می دانم در کنار خانه داری، در فعالیت های ضد جنگ و نسل کشی شرکت کنم تا شاید صدای بیصدایان در این دنیای پر از هیاهو باشم.