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QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

October 10, 2024


Hon. Donald Neil Plett (Leader of the Opposition)

Leader, a year ago, I asked you about a man who lost his wife and daughter on Flight PS752. In an interview with Global News, he revealed the RCMP said they couldn’t protect him from threats from the Iranian regime.

Last week, leader, the Hogue inquiry released an interview with the Deputy Commissioner of the RCMP in which he confirmed, “Iran targets Canada-based relatives of Flight PS752 victims to discourage them from criticizing the state.”

It took six years, leader, for the incompetent NDP-Liberal government to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC, as a terrorist entity. The Iranian regime targeting these grieving families is a direct consequence of that inaction, isn’t it, leader?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate) [ + ]

Thank you. I don’t agree with the premise or the conclusion, but I certainly do agree that it is totally unacceptable for any regime, especially Iran, which is a recognized fomenter and supporter of terror not only in its region but around the world. The government’s sanctioning of individuals and, more recently, the listing of the IRGC are examples of the steps the government has taken and will continue to take.

More needs to be done, and more robust engagement of all Canadians, law enforcement, the federal government and others needs to continually be upgraded because we face tremendous threats from bad actors like Iran.

Leader, almost a year ago, I also asked you about a B.C. lawyer who compiled a list of 700 IRGC agents who committed crimes against their own people, yet now they live in freedom right here in our country.

Over the past year, how many of these 700 agents have been kicked out of Canada? What’s the number?

Senator Gold [ + ]

I’m not in a position to comment on individual cases or on any investigations toward actions that may, in fact, be taking place.

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