Tomorrow night CFPI will be co-hosting “Anti-war webinar: Canada Must Oppose Israel's Attacks on Iran!" Register for the event with author Craig Mokhiber, Iranian Canadian Congress president Mona Ghassemi and member Nassim Noroozi as well as author Yves Engler and lawyer Dimitri Lascaris.

"Hands off Iran" protests are planned in multiple cities across the country this weekend against Canadian support for Israel’s aggression. Join marches organized by the Iranian community, anti-war groups and unions.

Please take a minute to tell Carney to invest in Canadians’ well-being not the war machine.

Also use this link to tell your MP and Senate member to oppose the war against Iran. 

Join Iranian Canadian Congress to condemn the Israeli attacks on Iranian people, particularly the targeting of civilian residential areas, energy and other civilian infrastructure and facilities. These attacks have so far killed and wounded hundreds of innocent Iranians. 
 
Such actions are a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter. As a responsible and peaceful nation, Canada must not remain silent in the face of these clear violations of international law. Our government must stand for diplomacy, respect for international law, and the protection of civilian lives. 

The Iranian Canadian Congress calls on the Canadian Government to: 
 
- Publicly condemn these attacks; 
 
- Call for an immediate cessation of hostilities; 
 
- Engage diplomatically through G7 and other international and multilateral institutions to de-escalate the conflict and promote peace in the region. 

By clicking on this link and giving your address, you can easily send the prepared letter to your MP and Senate member. 

Canada Must Oppose Israeli Attacks on the People of Iran | Canada Must Oppose Israeli Attacks on the People of Iran

Iranian Canadian Congress is devastated to hear the news of Israel’s latest attack against Iran. Among the targets were residential buildings, and the victims included children. Our hearts go out to our compatriots in Iran. We are sure so many in the diaspora, like us, frantically reached out to family as soon as they heard the news, to assure their safety.

As an organization whose mandate includes “advocating  peace, dialogue, and collaboration between Canada and other nations”, ICC has consistently called attention to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and called upon our Canadian government to broker a just and lasting peace in the region. We have always been keenly aware of the possibility that military actions would expand into Iran, and while it came close to that on several occasions, today we fear that the escalations have brought us to the tipping point.

With war looming, we are also concerned regarding the current state of Canada-Iran relations. In the context of recent travel bans imposed by U.S. President Trump that include Iran, the lack of Iranian consular services in Canada is a grave concern, as so many of us would do everything in our power to bring our relatives to safety, especially given that until recently Iranian-Canadians had to make use of the Iranian office in the Pakistani Embassy in the U.S. to meet their consular needs.

We therefore urge our Canadian politicians more urgently than ever, to expedite the re-establishment of consular services, to act as an arbitrator to ceasefire in West Asia, and to extend a helping hand to support those affected by war.

Call for Submissions: Celebrate Persian Language and Culture

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) Cultural Committee invites the Canadian community to take part in a unique celebration of Iranian culture. This special event honours non-Iranians who speak Farsi and can express themselves through the beauty of the language.

We welcome non-Iranians to submit a video of themselves performing a short piece—in verse, prose, or song—in Farsi.
Submissions should be sent to: [email protected]
All participants will receive a certificate of appreciation, and two outstanding performers will be awarded special prizes.
Please share this opportunity and encourage eligible friends to take part in this celebration of language and cultural connection.
Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025

فراخوان شرکت در رویداد فرهنگی | بزرگداشت دوستداران فرهنگ ایران

در هفته گذشته، عده قابل توجهی از اعضای کنگره با هیات مدیره کنگره ایرانیان کانادا تماس گرفته و درباره لیست اعضا و نحوه در اختیار گرفتن این لیست توسط یکی از نامزدهای هیات مدیره پیش از مجمع عمومی و ایمیل های ارسالی این شخص پیش و پس از این مجمع به هیات مدیره شکایت کردند

هیات مدیره کنگره ایرانیان کانادا ضمن ابراز نگرانی از نحوه استفاده از اطلاعات اعضا، اعلام میدارد که لیست اعضای این سازمان، طبق قانون شرکت های اونتاریو، با دریافت شهادتنامه و مبلغ 250$ طبق مصوبات هیات مدیره های قبلی در اختیار شخصی از اعضا قرار داده که این شخص لیست را در اختیار فرد دیگری قرار داده و مسئولیت هرگونه سواستفاده از اطلاعات اعضا با شخص ایشان میباشد 

به اطلاع کلیه اعضا میرساند که کمیته ای با نام کمیته دموکراسی در ساختار کنگره ایرانیان کانادا وجود ندارد و هرگونه ارتباط در این خصوص با اعضا، خارج از ساختار کنگره ایرانیان کانادا انجام شده است. شما میتوانید از گزینه گزارش اسپم به سرویس ایمیل و بلاک کردن ایمیل هایی که مایل به دریافتشان نیستید برای این موارد استفاده نمایید

هیات مدیره کنگره ایرانیان کانادا به تمامی اعضا اطمینان میدهد که تمامی تلاش خود را خواهند کرد تا در مقابل هرگونه سواستفاده از اطلاعات اعضای این سازمان بایستد و ضمن مشورت با وکیل، اقدامات لازم برای جلوگیری از چنین اتفاقاتی در آینده را در اسرع وقت انجام خواهند داد 

Iranian Canadian Congress is honoured to join the growing list of organizations, which in Canada include several federal political parties as well as human rights groups, who have endorsed the March to Gaza. As an organization whose mandate includes “advocating  peace, dialogue, and collaboration between Canada and other nations”, and “promoting and strengthening cross-cultural harmony to advance tolerance, understanding, and goodwill among all segments of the multicultural Canadian society”,  we believe in human rights, dignity and self-determination for all people. The unfolding genocide against Palestinians following longstanding illegal occupation and apartheid, including cruelties imposed upon the elderly, women, children, journalists, healthcare providers and aid workers, should concern every principled human being on this planet. We believe that the Canadian government should do everything in its power to end the ongoing injustice against indigenous peoples, both within its own borders and on the international stage, and that as concerned citizens, we should do everything in our power to support the oppressed. We therefore encourage all those who are able to join this international group of human rights advocates through either direct participation, financial or logistical support, or simply spreading the word regarding this momentous event of peaceful protest. You can join the Canadian delegation by contacting Palestine Vivra. 

We will continue to advocate for peace, justice, and solidarity as Iranians, as Canadians, and as compassionate human beings.   

The Board of Directors of the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) held its first official post-AGM2025 meeting on Sunday May 19th, 2025. The board discussed administrative matters related to the transition of documents and records from the former directors and also appointed new executive officers and department chairs. The following appointments were unanimously approved by the Board:

President: Mona Ghasemi
Vice-President: Mona Borghei
Treasurer: Manizheh Babaei
Secretary: Mahdi Ghamari

Co-Chairs of the Administration and Finance Department: Mona Ghasemi, Mona Borghei

Co-Chairs of the Communication and Public Relations Department: Mona Ghasemi, Mona Borghei

Co-Chairs of the Policy Department: Mahdi Ghamari, Asoudeh Novin

Co-Chairs of the Culture Department: Asoudeh Novin, Manizheh Babaei

Co-Chairs of the Public Relations Department: Mona Ghasemi, Mona Borghei

Chair of the Service Committee: Daniel Bagheri

Co-Chairs of the Mental Health Committee: Dr. Raheleh Tarani, Mona Borghei

Chair of the Research & Education Committee: Daniel Bagheri

Co-Chairs of the Communication policy Committee: Mona Borghei, Asoudeh Novin

Co-Chairs of the Organization of Communications & Content Development Committee: Manizheh Babaei, Dr. Arghavan Emami

Chair of the Public Relation Activities & Cyberspace Committee: Mahdi Ghamari

Chair of the Women's Committee: Shila Doaee

ICC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AGM 2025 RECORDING

ویدیوی کامل جلسه مجمع عمومی سال 2025 کنگره ایرانیان کانادا

https://youtu.be/DWFANmZy0tg?feature=shared

The election committee announced the following new Board of directors have been elected for a period of two years: 

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. Ms. Raheleh Tarani

The upcoming Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) annual general meeting (AGM 2025) will be held online on May 4, 2025, at 1:00 pm ET. A video call link to attend the meeting will be shared with the members through email in future communication. The agenda of the meeting is as follows:  

• Call to order  
• President’s report  
• Treasurer’s report and review of the 2024 financial statement
• Q&A 
• Announcement of the board election results  
• Adjournment  

Please note that an election is also held for the seven available seats on the board of directors of the ICC for the next two years. The membership deadline to participate in the election was until end of 25th of April 2025. The election will be held by online voting which has started on Sunday April 27th, 2025 and will end on May 4th, 2025, at 1:30 pm. The election will be conducted through a platform called Electionbuddy and you have received an email from Electionbuddy with instructions for voting.   

The ICC board of directors is committed to transparency in finance. The 2024 financial statement is available here and will also be presented in the AGM.  

The nomination window for the upcoming election was closed on April 17th, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET and the following candidates (ordered alphabetically) will run for the upcoming election:  

• 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

You can find information about the candidates by visiting the above links as well as watching this introduction video.  

Thank you for being a valued member of the ICC.  

Iranian Canadian Congress
http://www.iccongress.ca/

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.