In the summer of 2024, Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue and members of the Foreign Interference Commission’s Public Consultation Process team met with seven individuals belonging to the Iranian Canadian community in a meeting organized with the assistance of the Iranian Canadian Congress. This is a summary of the information shared at that meeting.

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/iraniancanadiancongress/pages/3505/attachments/original/1737138662/Iranian_Canadian_Congress_-_Meeting_Summary__EN_.pdf?1737138662

شکایت دکتر آرزو خدیر علیه «مداد» و شهرام یزدان‌پناه

ICC President interview with Canadian Foreign Policy Institute regarding Canadian officials encourage violence on Iran: 

https://youtu.be/y8Il6ddgN7w?si=BF5trw1Zw84uUBdA

Canadian officials are calling on Israel to attack Iran. President of the Iranian Canadian Congress Saideh Khadir joined Talking Foreign Policy to discuss Canada's aggressive position towards the West Asian country and Ottawa's role in supporting the 1953 US/UK overthrow of elected Prime Minister Mossadegh Mossadegh and support for the Shah throughout the 1970s.

The full video of Dr. Amirhassan Ghasseminejad, Iranian Canadian Congress Secretary, elaborating on importance of allowing for diversity of opinions in democratic society and the flow of benefits & funds into the Canadian political system at consultation panel in Foreign Interference Commission can be seen here. 

Below, you can find the full statement of Dr. Amirhassan Ghasseminejad in Farsi and ٍٍEnglish. 

متن سخنان دکتر امیر حسن قاسمی نژاد، دبیر کنگره ایرانیان کانادا، در جلسه مشورتی کمیسیون تحقیقات در مورد دخالت خارجی در کانادا

Statement by the Iranian Canadian Congress on the Problems Created for Mandatory Conscripts 

In the past years, anti-Iranian lobbies, along with hardline politicians, have made many efforts to list Iranian military forces on Canada’s terrorist list. In June 2024, the IRCG was added to Canada’s terrorist list. 

In the past years, the Iranian Canadian Congress has been the only Iranian Canadian organization to oppose the listing of the IRGC, which represents an official part of the Iranian military, as a terrorist organization.  Along with many Canadian political experts, ICC warned about this unusual political move with unprecedented and unpredictable detrimental consequences for thousands of Iranians, such as those who have served their mandatory conscript service in Iran and those related to them. We have repeatedly warned about these types of warmongering policies, which constitute ever more punishment and sanctions against both Iranians and the Iranian Canadian community. 

Numerous problems for Iranian Canadians and applications for Canadian visas has confirmed our concerns in this regard. These cases include undue delays in the immigration processes and, in some cases, the denial of visa applications, resulting in the separation of family members.  

Iranian Canadian Congress stands firmly against the continued efforts of the anti-Iran lobby in introducing ever more new laws against the Iranian Canadian community, such as Bill C-350, that will lead to dangerous systemic discrimination against Iranian Canadians and make future peaceful relations with Iran impossible. 

The Iranian Canadian Congress instead recommends the following actions:  

 - Removing IRGC from the terrorist list  

- Lifting sanctions against Iran 

- Establishing diplomatic relations,  

- Providing consular services to Iranian Canadians   

These actions advance not only the interests of the Iranian Canadian community but of the broader Canadian society as a whole, and are in line with Canadian values of peaceful diplomacy and embracing unity in our diversity. 

Statement on the International Day of Children’s Rights and the Elimination of Violence Against Women 

On this International Day, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights of children and eradicating violence against women. This day reminds us of the systemic inequalities and injustices that disproportionately harm the most vulnerable—women and children—around the world. These interconnected challenges demand collective action from our governments and institutions. 

Women’s Rights in Iran 

In Iran, women face profound legal and systemic inequalities that deny them basic freedoms and perpetuate cycles of injustice. Discriminatory laws, such as unequal custody rights in divorce cases, deprive women of agency and disproportionately affect their lives. These structural barriers erode women’s dignity and opportunities. 

On the other hand, U.S. sanctions worsen human suffering by restricting access to life-saving medications, including treatments for rare diseases; These sanctions disproportionately harm women and children, further marginalizing the most vulnerable. 

Global Economic and Systemic Violence

Economic violence is the most widespread and harmful form of violence and oppression against women and children. Globally, poverty, labor exploitation, and unequal access to resources deprive billions of their dignity and fundamental rights—including in Iran and even in countries like Canada. 

In Gaza, for the past 14 months, women and children have endured unimaginable suffering amidst what can only be described as a genocide. Relentless bombardments and a devastating blockade have claimed tens of thousands of lives and destroyed homes, schools, and hospitals. Over 70% of casualties are women and children. The denial of basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care has created a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale. Yet, international bodies, including the United Nations, fail to enforce laws that could stop this carnage and protect people. 

Let us use this day as a call to action of our governments and institutions to address these urgent needs and commit to building a future rooted in justice, dignity, and equality where every woman and child can live and thrive in peace and freedom. 

Closing Submissions by Iranian Canadian Congress

Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic
Institutions

ICC President has sent the following letter for the President of The Conservative Party of Canada regarding Mr. Polievre statement in favor of more war and violence in West Asia: 

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) expresses its deep concerns regarding the escalation of tensions in West Asia. Despite ongoing deadly operations by Israel in Gaza, over 100 hostages are still believed to be held captive there.

In these operations, the Israeli government has indiscriminately attacked innocent civilians, resulting in over 41,500 Palestinians killed, more than 95000 people injured, and more than two million people displaced in the last year. This is not to mention the many thousands of additional deaths due to starvation and disease. In the face of an unprecedented level of international outcry and confirmation of Israel’s war crimes by both the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court, instead of accepting international calls for a ceasefire, Israel has expanded its aggression against Lebanon and has carried out multiple assassination operations, leading to the killing of thousands of additional civilians across the region. The Israeli government has demonstrated its full disregard of many international laws.

In recent days, in retaliation for Israeli aggression — including the killing of a peace negotiator on Iranian soil— the Iranian armed forces carried out a response against military targets in Israel. Since Iran’s response on October 1, 2024, Israeli officials are threatening to once again attack Iran, including by targeting oil refineries, infrastructure, and civilian nuclear program, which is under the inspection and monitoring of the IAEA. Such attacks would have devastating consequences for the Iranian people and could expand the conflict into a regional war, endangering the lives of millions of Muslims, Jews, Christians, and other citizens of the West Asia.

Considering that thousands of Canadian citizens and their family members live across the region and in the countries impacted by the Israeli government’s military operations, the Iranian Canadian Congress is deeply concerned about these recent escalations. We urge the Canadian federal government to use all diplomatic means available, including rallying the international community, to pressure the Israeli government to accept a ceasefire in Gaza, to stop its aggression toward Lebanon, and to refrain from expanding the war, including against Iran.

The time has come for this genocidal war to come to an end. A just and lasting peace is in the interest of all people in the region and in the interest of Canada and the Canadian people.