Find below a letter from 6 Canadian civil society and pro-peace organizations to Canada's major parties regarding worrying push towards war with Iran on the international stage:

Attention:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Chrystia Freeland

Leader of the Official Opposition, Hon. Andrew Scheer

Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Erin O'Toole

Leader of the New Democratic Party Jagmeet Singh

Foreign Affairs Critic of the New Democratic Party Guy Caron

Leader of the Bloc Quebecois Yves-François Blanchet

Leader of the Green Party of Canada Elizabeth May

Dear Party Leaders

We are a group of Canadian non-profit organizations who are concerned by the growing momentum toward war against Iran by the United States President Donald Trump and who are calling on the Canadian government to take a stand against war on Iran. 

After leaving the Iran Deal (or JCPOA), the Trump administration has systematically inflamed tensions in a push for war. We even learned that Trump called for a military strike on Iran on June 20th, only to cancel it at the last minute. 

We have seen this story before. The same individuals who led the world to war against Iraq are now trying to do the same against Iran. Canada needs to stand up for peace and work with our allies to support the Iran Deal. 

As such, we ask that Canada:

1. Speak publicly against the Trump administration's push towards war against Iran;

2. Support the Iran Deal by joining our European allies in allowing Iran to circumvent unilateral US sanctions which have harmed the Iranian people by depriving them of medicine and other vital goods;

3. Act as an intermediary between Iran and the United States in order to prevent war and broker a peace plan

We hope that you agree that this matter is extremely urgent and important. We therefore ask you to respond to these issues as soon as possible.

Sincerely, 

The undersigned organizations:

• The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC)

• Canadian Council of Muslim Women (CCMW)

• Canadian Peace Congress (CPCon)

• Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)

• Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV) 

• Association of Progressive Palestinian Canadians (APPC)

Earlier this year from mid-March to April Iran was hit by unprecedented rainfall and floods that impacted approximately 10 million people in all of the country’s 31 provinces. 

In response, the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) immediately contacted the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Minister of International Development requesting assistance for the flood victims in Iran. 

Shortly thereafter, the Canadian Red Cross launched a campaign to raise donations for the flood victims in Iran and provided a dedicated platform for the Iranian Canadian Congress to raise donations as well. Based on the final report from the Canadian Red Cross, $150,000 was raised for providing emergency assistance to flood victims in Iran. 

According to the latest report published by the Canadian Red Cross the funds were used towards the following items:

• 296,000 people were provided with emergency shelter.
• 29,000 people received health interventions, including psychosocial support. 
• 216,000 food parcels were delivered to people impacted by the floods. 

Click here to check out the latest report from Canadian Red Cross about their work in Iran.

The Canadian government also provided additional $250,000 to support Canadian Red Cross campaign for Iranian flood victims. 

We would like to once again thank all those who supported this campaign to help provide emergency assistance to flood victims in Iran. 

In the last month, there has been a new change in the ICC board of directors. Hooman Shirazi, who was elected onto the ICC board in 2017, announced his intention to resign from the board.

ICC President Ms. Soudeh Ghasemi, upon learning of Mr. Shirazi’s resignation and the difficulties this this empty seat posed to the organization and the reaching of quorum, received recommendations to fill the vacancy (those who ran in the previous election withdrew their candidacy and were not technically runners-up, as confirmed by legal counsel), as per Section 12 of the ICC bylaws:

For the vacancy of a director who is not also an officer, all vacancies shall initially be filled by appointing the runner-up in the immediately preceding election and if such runner-up is not willing or available to accept the appointment, by appointing the next willing and available individual among the unsuccessful candidates in the preceding election with the highest number of votes. Should no such candidate be available or willing to accept the appointment, then within 21 days of the vacancy the members of the board of directors, except the president, may submit names of candidates to fill the vacancy, provided each candidate meets the qualifications for serving on the board. The board president shall, within 30 days of the vacancy, and after consultation with the other officers, appoint one of the submitted candidates to fill the vacancy.

Ms. Ghasemi received the name of Amir Moazzami, a volunteer with the ICC, through a recommendation by the board. She accepted this recommendation and Amir Moozzami was appointed to fill Mr. Shirazi’s position on the board until the upcoming AGM. 

We welcome Mr. Moazzami to the board and thank him for filling the position.

On August 21st, 2019, Foreign Minister Freeland responded to the ICC's Parliamentary petition e553. This petition was signed by over 15,000 Canadians and asked for Prime Minister Trudeau to fulfill his promise to Iranian Canadians and reestablish diplomatic relations with Iran. 

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) is deeply disappointed with the Canadian government’s answer to the ICC’s petition and strongly believes that the current policy of the government does not protect the safety of Canadians abroad as the “top priority for Government of Canada” as indicated in the response letter. 

Canadian officials have said that they are concerned about consular cases in Iran, including Iranian-Canadian Maryam Mombeini who is banned by Iranian authorities from leaving the country. However, many Iranian-Canadians and experts -- including Dr. Homa Hoodfar, who was imprisoned in Iran --  have repeatedly explained that having an embassy in Iran will help Canadian citizens who need consular support at times of emergency. 

In July 2017, Foreign Affairs Minister Freeland herself pointed out to the importance of establishing relations with Iran in order to be able to advocate for consular cases of its citizens or permanent residents in Iran. She said: “It's important for us to have lines of communication for many reasons. One of them being, we have some difficult consular cases in Iran and to have any hope of solving them we need to be able to talk to the government of Iran... It's essential to have relations, diplomatic relationship, to have a conversation not only with countries who are your friends and who share your values but also with the countries with whom you disagree. So we are definitely on the path to re-engage with Iran...”

Despite the Liberal government’s policy shift on this important issue for our community, the ICC’s position remains the same as we still strongly believe that the best way to advance the interests of the 400,000 Iranian-Canadians and to protect Iranian-Canadians in Iran including Maryam Mombeini is to have diplomatic relations with Iran. Therefore, we continue to advocate for re-engagement with Iran and look forward to working with the new government to resolve this long-standing issue for our community.

Members and Supporters of the Iranian Canadian Congress,

We'd like to inform you that Bijan Ahmadi has decided to leave the ICC Board of Directors on Aug 15, 2019. Bijan has served the ICC as a volunteer in different positions since 2015. After he was elected to the board by members of the ICC in 2015, he served as the PR director. In 2016, he was appointed by the board as the President of the ICC and served for two years in this position, afterwards serving as a board member and adviser. Bijan was steadfast in his dedication to the mission and the mandate of the ICC and he dedicated countless hours as a volunteer to further the goals of the ICC and the Iranian-Canadian community.

The following letter was sent to the Minister of Democratic Institutions Hon. Karina Gould and the Minister of Public Safety Hon. Ralph Goodale from the ICC VP Pouyan Tabasinejad on behalf of the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC), warning them about foreign interference by pro-war groups including the cult group MEK:

Here is a letter from ICC VP Pouyan Tabasinejad to members of the Canadian Parliamentary Subcommittee on International Human Rights:

Honourable members of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights, 

This month starting on May 13th, a series of events occurred that amounted to nothing less than the politicization of the House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights.

Firstly, even before this week, the committee showed a bias in their witness selection, heavily favoring pro-sanctions and pro-war advocates on a study which was made to analyze the human right situation in Iran, which is rapidly deteriorating due to unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States. The already precarious integrity of this study was further damaged when one of the few pro-peace voices -- Trita Parsi, a noted expert on Iran and pro-peace advocate -- had his invitation rescinded by the committee less than 24 hours before he was scheduled to testify after a coordinated action to bring pressure to bear on committee members. Furthermore, we were extremely concerned to learn that this rescinding was instigated at least in part by individuals associated with the MEK organization and its front in Canada, the “Iran Democratic Association,” as media outlets suggested that Shahram Golestaneh, a noted MEK affiliate, sent a letter to the chair of the committee asking for Dr. Trita Parsi to be removed.

Secondly, we are extremely disappointed to see that committee members are allowing the committee to act as a platform to attack Canadian civil society organizations with transparent falsehoods. At the committee and at the instigation of MP Michael Levitt, Shaparak Shajarizadeh stated yesterday that the "Iranian Canadian Council" had attacked her on social media. Based on her social media posts after the testimony, Ms. Shajarizadeh meant the "Iranian Canadian Congress". This assertion is absolutely false; at no time has the ICC ever written anything about Ms. Shajarizadeh (in relation to her committee testimony or at any other time). Whether Ms. Shajarizadeh has been misled, misquoted, or knowingly engaging in such falsehood, we believe that this is the direct result of the politicization of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights.

Testimony at the committee should not be a political issue; all legitimate points of view should be heard and allowed to speak. We note that at no point has the ICC attempted to remove witnesses who presented before the committee, even when they are as divisive and illegitimate as the FDD's Mark Dubowitz, noted advocate of war and sanctions against Iran, who has repeatedly been invited to present before the committee, nor Maryam Rajavi the head of the MEK cult, an organization that was listed as a terrorist group in Canada till 2012. We ask that all sides of the issues at hand act with similar restraint and respect for a diversity of opinions and views in order to prevent the further politicization and erosion of legitimacy of the committee's work. Specifically, we look to the committee members and the chair, Anita Vandenbeld, for leadership on this issue. 

Sincerely, 

Pouyan Tabasinejad

Vice President

Iranian Canadian Congress

Here is an announcement from the Iranian Canadian Congress:

We are pleased to announce the founding of a new initiative, the Iranian Canadian Congress Legal Committee.

The policy team at the ICC has decided to launch this initiative to fulfill a need in the community for legal services that would otherwise be too costly. The ICC Legal Committee will undertake a variety of activities, including: giving policy advice for the ICC’s policy advocacy, staffing legal clinics, and giving pro bono legal services for Iranian-Canadian individuals and non-profits.

In return for their service, lawyers will receive the satisfaction of contributing to the community’s well-being and an opportunity to gain legal experience in interesting and rewarding cases and situations.

So if you or someone you know is a lawyer (or a legal professional) certified to practice in Canada or a law student in Canada, join the ICC Legal Committee by emailing info@iccongress.ca with a short bio and a brief description of your legal expertise.

Here is a letter to ICC members and supporters from the ICC VP Pouyan Tabasinejad:

Dear Friends, 

My name is Pouyan Tabasinejad and I am the Vice President of the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC).

Over the past three years, I have been proud to be part of the astonishing growth of the ICC into a staunch and powerful defender of the Iranian-Canadian community. Because of the ICC’s efforts, politicians and officials are learning that the Iranian-Canadian community can no longer be ignored.

However, there are far too many regressive forces inside and outside the community, from the far-right to pro-sanctions lobby groups like the MEK, who do not want the Iranian-Canadian community to be strong and independent. They would like to keep us silent, especially in advance of the federal election in October. 

That is why I am asking you to donate to the ICC. Now more than ever, your donation is needed to help protect our community from those who would like to hold us back, who want to prevent us from advocating for peace and diplomacy with Iran and for ending anti-Iranian discrimination. 

Donate to the ICC using this simple and convenient link, and help us continue to defend your interests.

 Sincerely,

Pouyan Tabasinejad

Vice President
Iranian Canadian Congress

Here is a statement from the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC):

Trump’s misguided policy against Iran threatens the future of the JCPOA

Last week, the Trump administration imposed further pressure on Iran by removing two civil nuclear cooperation waivers related to purchase of enriched uranium and heavy water from Iran. By removing these two waivers the Trump administration essentially made it impossible for Tehran to continue its full compliance with the JCPOA. As a result and after a year since US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement and imposition of several rounds of maximum pressure sanctions that have caused tremendous damage to the Iranian economy, Iran has decided to reduce its commitments under the JCPOA and provide a 60-day period to EU, Russia and China to help Iran against US unilateral sanctions that are in violation of UNSC 2231.

Trump’s misguided policy on Iran over the past year has undermined this landmark non-proliferation agreement; he has made  unprecedented and dangerous decisions such as designating a formal military branch of Iran’s armed forces, the IRGC, as a terrorist organization. These decisions of the US administration have escalated tensions in the region and have put us on the path to another catastrophic war in the Middle East region.

Now more than ever, it’s important for responsible nations around the world including Canada to work together to prevent a regional military conflict that will have disastrous consequences for the world.

Unfortunately, Canada has thus far been missing in action on this important issue, even while the region would benefit considerably from Canadian advocacy for peace and multilateralism. We therefore call on the Canadian government to start working with our EU partners to help Iranian people in facing US unjust sanctions and to ensure the survival of the JCPOA.

Here is the official response we received from the Canadian Red Cross to the request the ICC sent them for opening an appeal to help the flood victims in Iran.

At the request of the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) and based on the international call for assistance the Canadian Red Cross has launched an appeal to assist the flood victims in Iran. Please use the following page on the Red Cross website to donate to them directly: www.redcross.ca/Iran/ICC

 Here is the official response the ICC received to its initial letter:

 Dear Soudeh Ghasemi 

On behalf of the Canadian Red Cross we thank you for your time in contacting us regarding the response to the flash floods in Iran. At this time the Canadian Red Cross has opened a funding appeal in response to the floods to assist the individuals affected across Iran.

Currently the Iranian Red Crescent has been on the forefront of relief efforts, with approximately 17,000 responders assisting over 332,000 individuals and providing temporary shelter to a further 160,000 people.

When an emergency is too severe for local support systems to adequately respond, the global Red Cross response can be quickly activated. There are local volunteers being mobilized across the areas affected by the floods to support the needs of vulnerable communities.  The Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is working to coordinate international emergency relief efforts and get help to people in affected areas as quickly as possible.

Canadians wishing to support those affected can make a financial donation to the Iran Floods appeal by visiting our website at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office. Funds raised through this appeal will enabled the Red Cross and Red Crescent to provide shelter, basic needs and livelihood support in response to this disaster.

In the event that any members of your organization are searching for channels through which to contact family members in Iran we have provided the contact information for the international committee of the Red Cross  restoring family links here below:

 What do I do if I’m looking for family members in the affected area?

If the person you are trying to contact is a Canadian citizen, please contact Foreign Affairs Canada by calling 1-800-605-5499.

People who are looking for family members (who are not Canadian citizens) who have been displaced because of the flooding are encouraged to visit the ICRC Family Links website at

http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/.

 We sincerely thank you and your organization the Iranian Canadian Congress for their support to the Canadian Red Cross. Should you have further questions regarding this funding appeal please do not hesitate to reach out directly

 Best Regards,

Alexandre Rochefort-Boone 
Donor Experience Associate

Canadian Red Cross

Here is a letter from the ICC President Soudeh Ghasemi to the Minister of International Development Maryam Monsef:

The Canadian Red Cross has accepted ICC's request and has launched an appeal for flood victims in Iran. The ICC has also requested the federal government to help. Here is a letter from the ICC President Soudeh Ghasemi to the Minister of International Development Maryam Monsef requesting the Government of Canada to help the flood victims in Iran through the Canadian Red Cross.

Request for Disaster Relief Fund to Help Flood Victims in Iran

Here is a letter from ICC President Soudeh Ghasemi to the Canadian Red Cross:

Kind Attention: 

Conrad Sauvé, President of the Canadian Red Cross,

Here is an announcement from the Iranian Canadian Congress:

Dear Friends,

In recent days many have asked us about ways to help the flood victims in Iran. We have talked to the Paradise Charity Group and they are launching a campaign soon to raise donations for the flood victims in Iran. Paradise is a registered Canadian charity and we have a great experience working with them in the past for helping the victims of the Kermanshah earthquake. 

A representative from Paradise Charity will be at our Nowruz gathering this Thursday night in Toronto to provide more info and to collect donations. Paradise provides tax receipts for your donations as well. For those outside of Toronto or anyone who cannot make it to the event, we will soon provide more information about this campaign and how you can send your donations to Paradise Charity. 

INFO ABOUT THE ICC NOWRUZ GATHERING:

Date: Thursday, March 28, 2019
Time: 7-10PM. (A representative from Paradise will be present from 8:30PM)
Location: Trio Restaurant, Novotel Hotel, 3 Park Home Avenue, Toronto
No ticket is needed. Admission is free. 
For more info about the event visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/262161381382843/ 

Sincerely,

Iranian Canadian Congress

Please sign the following petition urging the Government of Canada to immediately investigate the cases of individuals charged with corruption in Iran who flee to Canada.

Dear Members and Supporters of the Iranian Canadian Congress, 

Please sign the following petition urging the Government of Canada to immediately investigate the cases of individuals charged with corruption in Iran who flee to Canada. Over 4,000 people have signed the petition already. Join us and ask the Canadian government to act now:

Click here to sign: Canada Must Investigate Khavari and Marjan Aleagha.

Mahmoud Reza Khavari was a former Iranian banker who fled to Canada after a massive $2.6 billion financial fraud came to light in 2011. Our community and the Iranian Canadian Congress have raised concerns about the case of Khavari on several occasions both during the former government of Prime Minister Harper and during the time of the current Liberal government. However, Iranian-Canadians have never received any response, nor has the government taken any action on this issue.

In another case that has recently came into light, it is reported that Marjan Sheikholeslami Aleagha, who is being indicted in Iran in a massive ($10 billion) corruption case, has moved to Canada and has invested in properties and started businesses.

While these individuals have been able to move to Canada and invest their money freely, many ordinary Iranian-Canadians have been unfairly singled out in the immigration process and have been subject to banking restrictions because of their nationality and country of origin.

Our government and law enforcement agencies must prevent Canada from becoming a haven for corrupt money. This problem is not limited to Iran and Iranians. Our government must act now. Click on the following link to sign the petition and please share the petition with your network: https://www.iccongress.ca/petition

 Sincerely, 

Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC)

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) calls on the Quebec government to halt their unjust plans under Bill 9 to purge nearly 20,000 immigration applications.

To:

Quebec Ministre de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion Simon Jolin-Barrette

CC:

Premier Ministre du Québec François Legault;

Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada Ahmed Hussen;

MP for Richmond Hill Majid Jowhari;

MP for Willowdale Ali Ehsassi;

Immigration Critic for the New Democratic Party Jenny Kwan 

Dear Mr. Jolin-Barrette, 

I am writing you on behalf of the Iranian Canadian Congress. The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) is a non-profit, non-religious, and non-partisan organization committed to safeguarding the interests of the Iranian-Canadian community in Canada, a population estimated at 300,000 across our country.

Over the past month, the ICC has been very concerned over the Quebec government’s plan to purge nearly 20,000 immigration applications. As you may know, many Iranian immigrants call Quebec home and we have received numerous communications from members of Quebec’s Iranian community whose applications will be purged by your government’s plans.

These individuals, like many immigrants to Canada, are highly educated, eager, and valuable members of society. To purge their applications, often after years of residency and integration into Quebec society, constitutes a grave injustice not only to these individuals but also to Quebec itself. Quebec, like all of Canada’s provinces and territories, is built on the contributions of immigrants, and to deny these individuals the opportunity to continue contributing to Quebec will harm the province’s social and economic development. Furthermore, the lives of these individuals will be harmed to such an extent by purging their applications that it undermines Canada and Quebec’s character as an open and accepting society.

We therefore call on your government to put a halt to these plans. We ask that you process these applications and ensure that immigrants are given the opportunity to continue to contribute to Quebec’s prosperity in the future.

 Sincerely,

Saman Tabasinejad

Policy Chair

Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC)

The ICC Policy Chair sent the following letter to the CBC:

On Monday Feb 11, 2019 CBC aired their News Now program with Jennifer Hall and the segment focused on the 40th anniversary of the 1979 revolution in Iran. The CBC presumably intended to provide insight into the revolution and politics regarding Iran – however they only interviewed one Iranian-Canadian with specific partisan views to provide commentary on this complex issue.

During this interview Mr. Shahrooz shared his personal opinion on Iran. In response to a question regarding Canada's policy on Iran, Mr. Shahrooz advocated for sanctions, and pressure on Iran. Mr. Shahrooz also said that the federal government of Prime Minister Trudeau realized that diplomacy with Iran is not possible and as a result decided not to re-engage with Iran. This is Mr.Shahrooz’s own speculation and not reflective of fact or any formal position from the Government of Canada. Indeed, Mr. Shahrooz is on the public record advocating for sanctions against Iran since at least 2012, when Mr. Shahrooz advocated for such views at the Canadian Senate, a fact that was never mentioned or addressed by Ms. Hall.  

In 2016, the House of Commons launched an E-Petition (E-553 Iran) that called on the Government of Canada to establish diplomatic relations with Iran and re-open embassies in both countries. This petition garnered around 16,000 signatures – for a comparison, in a counter-petition launched by Samira Mohyeddin, who works for the CBC as well, calling on the Canadian government not to re-engage with Iran was only signed by 607 people.

Canada is home to over 300,000 Iranian-Canadians. The complexity of the community and their views cannot be encapsulated by one person – especially one who does not represent what is very clearly a very widespread desire of re-engagement with Iran in the community.

Interviewing one individual from the Iranian-Canadian community to provide insight on Iranian political affairs, Iran-Canada relations, diplomacy and sanctions, and other important topics does not meet standard journalistic practices; it provides a skewed and inaccurate depiction of Iranian-Canadian community and fails to represent diverse opinions. Furthermore, there was no fact checking nor any corrections on misleading, incomplete, or false information about the effect of US sanctions on Iran and its widely noted negative impact of the lives of Iranian people, including in terms of food, medicinal, and consumer goods shortages, as stated by the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran.

The CBC Journalistic Standards and Practices clearly states:

“Our programs and platforms allow for the expression of a particular perspective or point of view. This content adds public understanding and debate on the issues of the day.

When presenting content (programs, program segments, or digital content) where a single opinion or point of view is featured, we ensure that a diversity of perspective is provided across a network or platform and in an appropriate time frame.

When we choose to present a single point of view:

• it is clearly labeled, and

• it does not misrepresent other points of view.

Our value of impartiality precludes our news and current affairs staff from expressing their personal opinions on matters of controversy on all our platforms.”

We are extremely concerned to see Canada’s public broadcaster ignore their responsibility to provide balanced coverage of both Iran and the Iranian-Canadian community and instead give an exclusive platform to one individual with a specific point of view.

The CBC must take balanced reporting especially seriously when covering racialized ethnic communities and important international political events and issues. Our public broadcaster must uphold journalistic integrity in these moments rather than abrogate it.

We therefore ask that the CBC commits to providing a balanced approach on Iran and the Iranian-Canadian community and provides us with their plans to do so in the future. We also ask that the CBC demonstrates measures so that the political opinions of their producers do not influence their coverage of the Iranian-Canadian community; Canada's public broadcaster cannot act as a mouthpiece for the political opinions of partisan individuals with known political biases. We believe that this issue is of crucial importance not only for the accurate reporting of the views of a minority community by Canada's public broadcaster, but also for international peace and stability at a moment when extremist governments are advocating for instability and war.

We note that we expect this important issue be addressed by the CBC, and are prepared to take this complaint to the CBC Ombudsman's office, copied on this email, if our issues are not adequately addressed at the editorial level.

 Sincerely,

Panel discussion in Ottawa on Canada's Iran policy and its role in the Middle East:

The Iranian Canadian Congress was pleased to support the policy panel organized by The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy* on Parliament Hill about 'Canada's Role in the Middle East and Its Iran Policy'. This panel discussion on Feb 13, 2019 in Ottawa was an opportunity to raise awareness among policy makers and the diplomatic community about the importance of peace and diplomacy with Iran.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO OF THE SESSION.

Panelists:

Dennis Horak: Former Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and former Canadian diplomat in Iran.

Peggy Mason: Former Canadian Ambassador in the UN for Disarmament.

Amirhossein Barmaki: Head of the UN OCHA in Iran.

Bijan Ahmadi: Executive Direct of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy and former president of the Iranian Canadian Congress.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO OF THE SESSION.

Sincerely, 

Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) 

* The Institute for Peace & Diplomacy is a Canadian non-profit and non-partisan foreign policy think tank dedicated to promoting peace, diplomacy and dialogue. For more info visit their website at www.peacediplomacy.org

What are the issues and problems that you want the federal government to address?

Dear Members and Supporters of the Iranian Canadian Congress,

We are excited to announce we have started our 2019 Federal Election Consultation! The ICC and its policy team will be holding an intensive consultation process which will include a series of online surveys, in person consultation sessions, as well as lectures about the topics you have expressed interest in!

What do you prioritize as we enter the 2019 Federal Election? This could be anything from changes in our tax system, economic policies, immigration, democratic institutional reform, foreign policy, environmental/climate change initiatives, child-care, to Canada's health-care system, etc.

Please click here for the online consultation form.

Here is a notice from the Board of Directors to all members of the Iranian Canadian Congress:

Dear Members of the Iranian Canadian Congress, 

On Nov 29, 2018 Shahrvand weekly paper published a defamatory report by Shahram Tabe Mohammadi. This report includes defamatory and baseless accusations against the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) and other hardworking volunteers and activists who support peace and diplomacy with Iran and advocate against Trump's sanctions on Iran. Since the author was reporting these accusations as a result of his meeting with the NDP Foreign Affairs Critic MP Hélène Laverdière in Montreal, the ICC Vice President Pouyan Tabasinejad contacted MP Laverdière's office on Friday and she personally responded to him.

Unfortunately Shahrvand Publications has a reputation of publishing defamatory reports and articles about hard working members of the Iranian-Canadian community and against the ICC. In previous occasions, Shahrvand even refused to publish responses to the accusations against us. We have sent the original response from MP Hélène Laverdière to Shahrvand and asked them to follow basic standards of ethics and publish it immediately. 

Here is the complete email from the NDP Foreign Affairs Critic MP Hélène Laverdière to the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC):

هلن لوردیر: من به هیات مدیره و اعضای کنگره ایرانیان کانادا اطمینان میدهم که نظرات مطرح شده در مقاله (نوشته شهرام تابع محمدی در شهروند) به هیچ عنوان بیانگر نظر من یا حزب نیو دموکرات نیست

من و همکارانم خواهان ادامه همکاری با کنگره ایرانیان کانادا هستیم

ما به تلاش خود و فشار به دولت کانادا برای تجدید رابطه دیپلماتیک با ایران ادامه میدهیم تا راهی برای تشویق اصلاحات و یافتن راه حل های سیاسی برای اختلافات دو کشور ایجاد شود 

Dear Pouyan, 

I am writing to you to address the concerns regarding the online article published in Shahrvand, written by Shahram Tabe.

I was asked to take a meeting by a constituent in Montreal, and so I met with Mr. Tabe in Montreal on November 17. I accepted the meeting under the auspice of learning more about the Iranian Canadian community. It was never my understanding that this meeting would result in the publication of an article about our meeting.

I want to strongly reassure the board and members of the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) that the opinions expressed in this article in no way reflect my views, or the views of the NDP.

My colleagues and I absolutely wish to continue our work with the ICC. New Democrats stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Iran in their aspirations for freedom, peace, democracy and the rule of a just law. We will continue to stand with them and speak out when their voices are unfairly silenced. We will continue to push the Canadian government to restore diplomatic relations with Iran, in order to provide a foundation for encouraging reforms and the finding of political solutions to address disagreements between our countries. Condemnations of the Iranian regime cannot replace a strong diplomacy.

I understand that the article also makes accusations against members of the ICC who have run as NDP candidates federally and provincially. Again, I cannot express strongly enough that this article does not represent the views of the NDP. The views expressed in the article about NDP candidates are the author’s views and his views alone.

You are all welcomed members of the New Democratic Party of Canada. I am honoured to stand with you and work with you for democracy, peace and justice. 

Sincerely,

Hélène Laverdière

MP for Laurier—Sainte-Marie

Here is a letter from the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) regarding the processing times for Iranian Permanent Resident (PR) applications:

Dear Iranian Canadian Congress:

I am writing with regard to the processing times for Iranian permanent resident applications. You recently brought this issue to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC's) attention, and further to the statement I issued on October 17, 2018,1 appreciate the opportunity to reach out to you with an update on this issue.

I would first like to assure you that IRCC takes the concerns you raised very seriously. The Government of Canada is committed to—and takes pride in—ensuring the safety and security of Canadians through immigration procedures that are applied in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

As part of routine application processing, all applicants, including citizens of Iran, must undergo security screening as a means of keeping Canada and Canadians safe from threats. Security screening was one of the factors that resulted in a notably higher processing time than average for Iranian nationals last fiscal year.

In order to identify areas of improvement and find efficiencies in the security screening process, IRCC continues to work in close collaboration with public safety partners, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). To address the long security screening timelines that have affected applications from all nationalities, CBSA and IRCC have enhanced their processes to improve performance. These efforts have shown a marked improvement on the overall processing times for Iranian permanent resident applications. Notably, in 2015 the average wait time for Iranian permanent resident applications was 32.6 months longer than for citizens of all other countries. By July, the difference was down to 10.5 months.

While processing times for security screening have improved, I would note that there are other factors that can affect an application's processing time, including the complexity of a case, delays associated with requests for additional information from the applicant (such as medical examinations), how easily information can be verified, and whether an application is complete. However, as each application is handled on a case-by-case basis, there is no one simple explanation for how long applications can take.

Once again, I appreciate you bringing this matter to my attention, and I acknowledge that it can be frustrating for anyone hoping to immigrate if their application is taking longer than expected.

Moving forward, IRCC will continue to make every effort to manage the applications it receives in the most efficient and effective way, while ensuring that our immigration program remains universal and non-discriminatory; applicants from around the world will continue to be assessed against criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. This principle of non-discrimination is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and it reflects Canada's tradition of fairness and natural justice and our nation's multicultural character.

Yours sincerely,

Ahmed Hussen, P.C, M.P.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Here the ICC’s Statement on US Sanctions against Iran

 برای دریافت ترجمه فارسی اینجا را کلیک کنید

On November 5th, 2018, the Trump administration will reinstate sanctions on Iran, violating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2231. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors reported in August 2018 that Iran is still in compliance with the nuclear agreement despite this move by the US. The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) denounces the move by the US Administration to violate UNSC resolution 2231 and the provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice, the latter which stated, “both parties must refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.”

 This unilateral and undiplomatic decision to illegally violate JCPOA is overwhelming unpopular with the International Community.  Members of the European Union and the remaining members of the UN Security Council (the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia) are still in support of the deal and have voiced their concerns to the Trump administration.

 The JCPOA is a landmark diplomatic agreement and a shining example of how diplomacy can ensure and promote international peace and stability. The reinstatement of these illegal sanctions does not only defy the multilateral nuclear agreement but also sets a dangerous precedent for future international agreements. The US’s impending enforcement of illegal sanctions undermines the very rules-based international order that the United Nations and other international agencies are founded upon.

 Furthermore, the pending US sanctions are not only illegal but also violate the basic human rights of the Iranian people. On August 22nd, 2018 the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Mr. Idriss Jazairy, stated that “[t]hese unjust and harmful sanctions are destroying the economy and currency of Iran, driving millions of people into poverty.”  

One of the largest impacts that the sanctions will have on ordinary Iranians regards the healthcare sector. Currently, doctors and patients are reporting shortages on life-saving medicine. The sanctions would prevent European and US companies that provide the advanced medicine and equipment needed for certain treatments from selling these products to Iran. Additionally, even those goods that are making it into Iran are being sold at hugely inflated prices due to a sharp currency downturn after Trump’s decision to pull out of the deal. It is therefore abundantly clear that sanctions hurt ordinary Iranians and put thousands of lives at risk.

 We call upon Canada to work with the rest of the International Community to:

1. Stand against the illegal and irresponsible reinstatement of sanctions by the US.
2. Implement measures to support the remaining parties of the agreement and other countries who are committed to the terms of the JCPOA.
3. Work to alleviate the medicine and medical equipment shortage in Iran that has been predicted by Iranian health practitioners and international organizations to worsen with these newest sanctions.

Here is a statement from the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) regarding Mahmoud Reza Khavari:

A new report by the IC Journal has revealed the extent of Khavari's family investments in Canada. Mahmoud Reza Khavari was a former Iranian banker who fled to Canada after a massive $2.6 billion financial fraud came to light in 2011. He was tried in absentia in Iran. In December 2017, Khavari was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Interpol issued a warrant for Mahmoud Reza Khavari as well. 

The ICC has discussed the concerns of Iranian-Canadians regarding Mahmoud Reza Khavari with Canadian officials and members of parliament on multiple occasions. We once again call on the Canadian government and the Minister of Justice to extradite Mahmoud Reza Khavari to Iran for him to serve his sentence and if his extradition to Iran is not possible, we call on the Minister of Justice to open an investigation on Mr. Khavari using the full extent of the Canadian law including provisions of the of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Actand Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act.

 Click here to read the report by the IC Journal.

گزارش جدیدی از سرمایه گذاری های خاوری در کانادا منتشر شده. کنگره ایرانیان کانادا درباره این موضوع بیانیه ای را منتشر کرده که متن کامل این بیانیه انگلیسی در این صفحه موجود است. کنگره ایرانیان کانادا بار ها نگرانی ایرانیان را در رابطه با محمود رضا خاوری با مقامات کانادایی درمیان گذاشته

ما بار دیگر از مقامات کانادا درخواست میکنیم که محمود رضا خاوری که محکوم به اختلاس است به ایران بازگردانند. و اگر امکان استرداد او به ایران وجود ندارد از وزیر دادگستری کانادا درخواست داریم که با استفاده از قوانین کانادا علیه اختلاس و پول شویی این فرد را مورد تحقیق قرار دهند

Since December 2017 the ICC has been actively involved with the Iranians students facing delays and met with officials from the Ministry of Immigration and Ministry of Public Safety to discuss this problem.  We are glad to announce that over 80% of the the original 400 Iranian applicants who were impacted by the delays have been approved

Statement from the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship on processing times for Iranian applications

Ottawa, October 17, 2018—The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today issued the following statement:

“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is committed to delivering quality client service across its global network by improving processing efficiencies for all of our programs and services.

 “Recognizing that processing times for Iranian permanent resident applications have been longer than the international average, we have made significant improvements. For example, in 2015, the average wait time for Iranian permanent resident applications from individuals residing in Iran was 32.6 months longer than for citizens of all other countries. By July 2018 the difference was down to 10.5 months. In addition, as of May 1, 2018, the average processing time for outstanding Iranian security screenings for permanent resident applications was in line with all other nationalities. From January 1 to June 31, 2018, 3,657 Iranian citizens were approved for permanent residency in Canada.

“The reality is that processing times are complex. Every application is handled on a case-by-case basis and there’s no one simple explanation for how long it takes. Any application can be subject to longer processing times regardless of the country of origin. Security screening was one, but not the only factor that resulted in higher processing time than average for Iranian nationals last year.

The following letter was sent to the Minister of Public Safety Hon. Ralph Goodale on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC):

To the Honourable Minister Ralph Goodale, 

We are writing you today to communicate our serious concern regarding an orchestrated and dangerous campaign of defamation against our organization, the Iranian Canadian Congress, and peace advocates in our community. Not only is this campaign designed to spread falsehoods about members of the Iranian-Canadian community and the Iranian Canadian Congress, but the baseless accusations and defamation spread widely by individuals leading this campaign have put the safety and security of Iranian-Canadian activists in danger.

In their most recent action, organizers of this defamation campaign sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and leaders of the opposition parties in an attempt to discredit the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) by repeating these defamatory comments. In their letter they accuse the ICC, a Canadian non-profit and volunteer-based organization, of being controlled by certain government entities in Iran and of being a lobby organization for the Iranian government. In their letter they do not provide any evidence to support their serious claims. We categorically reject these false and baseless accusations.  

Furthermore, we have seen evidence that this campaign is being directed from outside of Canada – the letter itself was originally published and promoted on the website of a preacher in Australia, Imam Tawhidi, who first asked individuals to join the defamation campaign as signatories to the letter. It is widely reported by Australian media that this individual, Mohammad Tawhidi (commonly known as Imam Tawhidi), has a controversial history and ties to radical figures. 

Unfortunately, the baseless accusations published in this defamation campaign, distributed through a local paper called Shahrvand Publications, have been referenced by Conservative Senator Linda Frum and Conservative MP O'Toole to attack the Trudeau Government and the Liberal Party of Canada’s stated policy of constructive engagement and diplomacy with Iran. Again, both parliamentarians did not offer a single piece of evidence to support their claims, even when our organization asked them formally to publish their evidence. Not only have these accusations and allegations been repeated without providing evidence, but their reference by these two Canadian parliamentarians constitutes a grave danger to our community in a time when racial hatred and xenophobia is on the rise.  

The false information distributed through this defamation campaign has resulted in ICC members and executives, who all work on a volunteer basis, and hardworking activists in our community being threatened and verbally harassed in public and in social media. 

We call on your Ministry, and the security and law enforcement agencies under your Ministry’s supervision, to immediately investigate the activities of the individuals involved in this defamation campaign. Specifically, we ask you to investigate the role of the Australian citizen Mohammad Tawhidi (AKA Imam Tawhidi) in leading this campaign of defamation and verbal harassment against our organization and our community and seriously consider lodging a complaint with the Australian government regarding their citizen's attempt to sow discord in Canadian civil society.  

Attached you can find the content of the recently published letter and the names of the individuals who have signed the letter as leaders of this defamation campaign against the ICC and peace activists in the Iranian-Canadian community. 

We are ready to fully cooperate with your department or any of the Canadian security agencies to answer any question you may have or to provide further evidence about the activities of the individuals involved in this defamation campaign. 

As a Canadian non-profit community organization, we are dedicated to defending the rights of our community members as defined under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We will defend our right to promote and present our opinions with respect to the policies of our beloved Canada and we will not allow an extreme defamation campaign to silence our community's voice.  

Sincerely, 

Soudeh Ghasemi

President

Iranian Canadian Congress

برای دریافت ترجمه فارسی این نامه اینجا را کلیک کنید

 ICC:

Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of The Official Opposition

Mr. Jagmeet Singh, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

Ms. Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada

Hon. Senator Peter Harder

Hon. Senator Yuen Pau Woo

Hon. Senator Larry Smith 

Hon. Senator Linda Frum

Hon. MP Erin O’Toole

MP Garnett Genuis

MP Ali Ehsassi

MP Majid Jowhari

Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Parliament of Canada

Shahrvand Publication

The ICC condemns the terrorist attack in Ahvaz. Stand with people of Iran and condemn these attacks on social media using the following hashtag #PrayForAhvaz

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) condemns the terrorist attack in Ahvaz, Iran. At least 25 people have been killed and 60 injured in this attack carried out by a terror group called Al-Ahvazi on Sept 22, 2018. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish speedy recovery for those injured.

Here is a statement from the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC):

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) is deeply concerned over Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s stated intention to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause to block a court ruling against changes to the City of Toronto’s electoral boundaries (Bill 5) in middle of an election campaign. We are also concerned about the changes on grounds that it would negatively impact the injection of greater diversity in Toronto City Council.

In his ruling Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba emphasized that Bill 5 has infringed on citizens’ constitutionally given rights to freedom of expression and effective representation.  As a Canadian organization dedicated to the protection of the Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the ICC opposes the wholly unjustified use of the Notwithstanding Clause in the case of Bill 5 to evade these important obligations of the Charter.

Governments must not use this clause to invalidate judicial rulings on the unconstitutionality of their laws and actions, except in extraordinary cases and with robust justifications. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is in place to protect the rights of citizens and residents of our country; to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause without due cause sets a serious precedent that puts the future of these constitutionally guaranteed privileges in grave danger.

Secondly, Toronto City Council, like many legislatures around our country, is deeply unrepresentative of the diversity of the constituency it represents. In a city with a majority population (51%) of people of colour, Toronto City Council only holds about 10% councillors of colour. Premier Ford’s sudden changes to the electoral boundaries and election rules through Bill 5 have negatively impacted many municipal candidates across the City of Toronto. As noted by experts, candidates from minority groups and communities of colour suffer these impacts disproportionately, thus furthering the problem of diversity on City Council.

For these reasons the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) opposes Premier Doug Ford’s actions regarding Toronto’s municipal election. We call on all Members of Ontario’s Parliament to vote against the new version of Bill 5 that Premier Ford is planning to introduce to the legislature.

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

Here is a statement from the ICC on the attack on Saye Sky:

The Iranian Canadian Congress was deeply saddened to learn that a member of our community was attacked in an apparent hate crime in Toronto on July 15th, 2018. Saye Sky was subjected to a brutal transphobic attack due to his gender identity. The ICC has reached out to Saye and offered its support. We call on law enforcement officials to stand against this hateful attack and apprehend and punish those responsible.

Here is a letter from the ICC President Soudeh Ghasemi to Conservative MP Erin O'Toole regarding his baseless accusations against the ICC and the Iranian-Canadian community in the House of Commons. 

Here is a statement from the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC):

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) is very concerned about recent news of Ms. Maryam Mombeini's health condition in Iran.

The ICC asks the Iranian government and judiciary to ensure Ms. Maryam Mombeini's health and safety and to allow her return to her family in Canada.

Unfortunately, Canada's lack of diplomatic relations with Iran has limited its ability to advocate on behalf of its citizens in Iran. Nevertheless, we ask the Canadian government to advocate for Ms. Mombeini's safe return to her family through existing diplomatic channels, including through Italy as Canada's designated Protective Power in Iran.

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) held its Parliamentary Briefing Session on Canada's Iran Policy on Tuesday night. Parliamentarians, political staffers, officials and representatives of several diplomatic missions participated in this session in Ottawa. 

Specifically the panel had an extensive discussion on the motion adopted by the House of Commons last week against Iran. We were pleased to have three distinguished experts with us:

Dr. Thomas Juneau:  Professor of School of Public and International Affairs, Former Analyst with Canada’s Department of National Defence.

Ms. Peggy Mason: President of Rideau Institute, Former Canada’s Ambassador for Disarmament to the UN. 

Dr. Omid Milani: Professor of Law at the University of Ottawa, Member of Human Rights Research and Education Centre. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO.

This is the first briefing session organized by the ICC on Parliament Hill. These briefings are a key opportunity to educate policy makers and their staff about pressing issues for our community. The panel last night was a success based on the positive feedback we received from policymakers who attended the event.  

Tonight for the first time the ICC is hosting a parliamentary briefing in Ottawa. Tune in at 7PM to watch the event live. 

Dear Members and Supporters of the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC), 

Tonight for the first time the ICC is hosting a parliamentary briefing in Ottawa. The event tonight will focus on Canada's Iran policy. You can watch the full session live on our Facebook page at 7PM (EST) tonight. Facebook link: www.facebook.com/iccongress 

We are pleased to have three distinguished experts with us for this event, which aims to cover important policy issues such as Canada-Iran relations, nuclear non-proliferation, human rights, Canada's sanction regime on Iran, regional conflicts in the Middle East and the future of the Iran nuclear deal after US withdrawal. 

PANELISTS:

Dr. Thomas Juneau:  Professor of School of Public and International Affairs, Former Analyst with Canada’s Department of National Defence.

Ms. Peggy Mason: President of Rideau Institute, Former Canada’s Ambassador for Disarmament to the UN. 

Dr. Omid Milani: Professor of Law at the University of Ottawa, Member of Human Rights Research and Education Centre. 

Parliamentarians, officials and members of foreign policy community in Ottawa will be in attendance and participate in discussions during the Q&A.  

TUNE IN AT 7PM (EST) TONIGHT AND WATCH THE PANEL AND THE Q&A LIVE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ICCONGRESS

These briefings are a key opportunity to educate policy makers and their staff about pressing issues for our community. We hope with your support we can continue hosting these sessions on Parliament Hill. Please tune in tonight to watch the discussion.

Find below a statement from the ICC regarding today's vote at the House of Commons on Iran:

Today is a sad day for supporters of diplomacy and peace in Canada. In an unexpected and disappointing move, the vast majority of Liberal MPs in the House, including the Liberal leadership and Prime Minister Trudeau himself, stood with the Conservative Party and voted for a motion that asks the Federal Government to abandon its policy of reestablishing relations with Iran. The NDP and the Green Party’s Elizabeth May voted against this motion in the House.

We believe that this action is harmful not only to the interests of Iranian-Canadians generally who continue to suffer the lack of diplomatic and consular services, but especially to the ongoing consular cases of Canadians in Iran. Prime Minister Trudeau promised the Iranian-Canadian community that he would re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran and open the embassies between the two countries.

Many Iranian-Canadians supported Liberal candidates in the previous Federal election because the lack of diplomacy deprived them of consular services in Canada and prevented them from having diplomatic representation when visiting Iran. In fact, it has been noted not only by Liberal government members, including fomer Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion among others, but also by former Canadians imprisoned in Iran such as Prof. Homa Hoodfar, that Canadian consular cases would be helped, not hindered, by the existence of diplomatic relations with Iran. It is unfortunate that the government is now buying into the false notion that existing consular cases constitute an argument against diplomacy with Iran.

We now see that the Liberal government’s promise to the Iranian-Canadian community is officially broken. We would like to thank the NDP and the Green Party’s Elizabeth May for voting against the motion.

In the next hours we will publish the full list of MPs who have voted for the motion.

Notes:

Please click here to review the statement from MP Majid Jowhari about his position on this motion. 

Iranian-Canadian MPs Majid Jowhari and Ali Ehsassi and several other MPs were not present or abstained in the House of Commons during the vote. We will provide a full report and a list of votes soon. 

The next Ontario election is this Thursday June 7, 2018. This is an important election for people of Ontario and all diverse communities living in this province. With your vote you will shape the future of the province. Go out and vote on June 7 and please encourage your friends and family members to vote too.

Here you can find useful info about the upcoming elections:

Use the following link from Elections Ontario to find your voting station: 
https://voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca

Click on the name of each party to review their platform: PC | NDP | Liberal | Green

Recent province wide opinion polls: https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/onvotes/poll-tracker/

Riding level projections are subject to change but here is the most reliable source we found: 

http://www.calculatedpolitics.com/project/2018-ontario/

If you are a student looking for a summer internship position, please review the list of positions available below.

Here you can find positions available:

Communications Intern

Paid summer internship, Mid-June to end of August 2018, Full time position.

Location: ICC Office, Unit 900, 45 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto.

Application deadline: June 7, 2018

We are recruiting a communications intern to support our PR and Policy teams at the Iranian Canadian Congress. This position requires a good deal of thoughtful analysis and independent judgment, as well as flexibility to perform a variety of duties. We are looking for a passionate, self-driven and positive individual who can work independently and as part of a team.  

The Iranian Canadian Congress is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-religious organization that aims to uphold the interests of Iranian-Canadians and encourage their participation in the Canadian society. ICC values its interns for their strong sensibility and promotes their professional development during the internship. You’ll be an integral part of the team, involved in doing the following:

• Researching, writing, and distributing press releases to targeted media

• Collating and analysing media coverage

• Writing and editing reports, articles, briefs, etc. 

• Assisting with planning and writing for the organization’s media presence

You need to have the following:

• Full-time student status both during previous and next academic year

• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills  

• Understanding of basic principles of marketing and communications

• Strong  research skills

• Attention for details, professionality and sensibility in writing

• Working knowledge of different social media channels

• Students studying political science are encouraged to apply for this position.

• Familiarity with the Canadian political system is a plus. 

• Knowledge of Farsi (Persian) language is a plus.

Please note as the budget for this internship position is provided through a government grant (Canada Summer Jobs) there are additional eligibility requirements noted below:

• Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment; 

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

We’d love to have you join the team. To apply, send your resume and a sample of your written work to info@iccongress.ca. Due to time constraints, only candidates who meet our requirements will be contacted.

Here is an announcement from the ICC Board of Directors:

Dear Members and Supporters of the Iranian Canadian Congress, 

On May 15, 2018 during the first meeting of the 2018-2019 Board of Directors the following board members were appointed as new Executive Officers and Department Chairs:

President: Soudeh Ghasemi

Vice President: Pouyan Tabasinejad

Treasurer: Babak Amin Tafreshi

Secretary: Younes Zangiabadi

Chair of the Culture Committee: Sholeh Khalili (Dolatabadi)

Chair of the Public Relations Committee: Mohsen Khaniki 

The board decided to table the appointment of the Policy Chair to the next meeting. 

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

Iranian Canadian Congress

May 16, 2018

Letter from 10 Canadian civil society and pro-peace organizations to Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Freeland regarding Trump's decision on Iran Nuclear Agreement:

MAY 10, 2018

The Right Honourable Justin P.J. Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Freeland,

We, the undersigned NGOs, are writing to convey our concerns regarding the Trump Administration’s irresponsible decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran Nuclear Deal. We believe that Canada must defend the Iran Nuclear Deal as an important victory for international diplomacy, peace and non-proliferation.

In 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau said that Canada was “back” on the world stage as a constructive and cooperative force in the world. Since its creation, the Iran Deal has been endorsed by more than 90 nations as a vital path towards peace and stability in one of the most volatile regions of the globe. Many experts have gone further to posit that the JCPOA successfully averted another catastrophic conflict in the Middle East.

Now is when Canada needs to show that it is truly “back” as a force for good in the world by supporting the JCPOA. We must stand unequivocally on the side of peace, constructive engagement, and diplomacy.

Since the implementation of the nuclear agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has, on several occasions, verified Iran’s full compliance with the JCPOA. In a recent statement the IAEA has also rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent allegations against Iran.  

Just as Canada helped maintain the Paris Agreement despite the Trump administration’s withdrawal, we can once again stand on the side of international cooperation by supporting the JCPOA in the face of another Trump administration withdrawal.

We the signatories of this letter therefore ask the Government of Canada to publicly express its firm commitment to the JCPOA, to comply with Resolution 2231 adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council formalizing the Iran nuclear agreement and to work with European allies to ensure survival of the Iran Nuclear Deal regardless of the course of action that the Trump Administration may take in undermining this historic agreement.

Sincerely, 

The undersigned organizations:

• Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC)
• Peggy Mason, President of the Rideau Institute and former Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament to the UN
• Science for Peace
• The Group of 78
• Independent Jewish Voices Canada
• Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)
• Toronto Coalition to Stop the War (TCSW)
• Canadian Voice of Women for Peace
• Hamilton Coalition To Stop The War (HCSW)
• Canadian Peace Congress

Here is a press release on Iran Nuclear Agreement and the expected announcement from the Trump Administration:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) calls on the Government of Canada to continue its commitment to the Iran nuclear agreement regardless of the course of action the Trump Administration may take.

Toronto May 7, 2018

The Trump Administration is expected to announce its decision on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran Nuclear Agreement, on May 8, 2018. Analysts, experts and world leaders have warned about possible US withdrawal from the agreement. At this crucial juncture the Iranian Canadian Congress (ICC) calls on the Government of Canada to remain committed to the JCPOA and defend the Iran Nuclear Deal as an important victory for international diplomacy, peace and non-proliferation.

Since its creation, the Iran Deal has been endorsed by more than 90 nations as a vital path towards peace and stability in one of the most volatile regions of the globe. Many experts have gone further to posit that the JCPOA successfully averted another catastrophic conflict in the Middle East.

Since the implementation of the nuclear agreement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has, on several occasions, verified Iran’s full compliance with the JCPOA. In a recent statement the IAEA has also rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent allegations against Iran.  

In an online survey conducted by the ICC in October 2017 of 1100 Iranian-Canadians over 90% of respondents expressed their strong support for the nuclear agreement. The majority of respondents believed that in the event that the US Trump administration withdraws from the nuclear agreement with Iran, the Canadian government should remain committed to the nuclear agreement.

We ask the Government of Canada to publicly express its firm commitment to the JCPOA, to comply with Resolution 2231, adopted unanimously by the United Nations Security Council and which formalizes the Iran nuclear agreement, and to work with European allies to ensure survival of the Iran Nuclear Deal regardless of the course of action that the Trump Administration may take in undermining this historic agreement.

******