Ottawa sanctions 34 Iranian officials and entities Liberal MP says it's not enough

The federal government is slapping sanctions on 34Iranians and Iranian entities, including members of thecountry's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and morality police but a Liberal member of Parliament says the sanctions are "too little, too late."

The list,obtained by Radio-Canada,comes a week after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promisedto impose sanctions on the Iranian government. Foreign Affairs Minister Mlanie Jolyon Mondayannounced the list of sanctionstargets, which include25 individuals and nine entities.

The Iranian regime is facing country-wide protestsfollowing the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died while in the custody of the morality police. She was detained for allegedly not wearing herhijab properly.

"Obviously, what is going on in Iran right now is completely unacceptable. This is the regime that is persecuting women, this is the same regime that downed flight PS752, and therefore impunity is not an option," Jolytold journalists in the House of Commons onMonday.

"The goal is to make sure we put maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. That's why we came up with these key sanctions, targeting the leadership of the IRGC. Everything is on the table."

WATCH|The goal is 'maximum pressure on the Iranian regime' Joly explains new sanctions

The goal is 'maximum pressure on the Iranian regime' Joly explains new sanctions

2 years ago

Duration 1:11

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mlanie Joly says the federal government is imposing sanctions on 34 Iranians and Iranian entities, including the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and morality police.

Jolyadded that more sanctions against Iran are coming "very soon."

"These sanctions are in response to gross human rights violations that have been committed in Iran, including its systematic persecution of women and in particular, the egregious actions committed by Iran's so-called 'Morality Police,' which led to the death of Mahsa Amini while under their custody," a government news release said.

Among those on the list areHossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC,Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi, the head of the morality police, andMohammed-Hossein Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces.

The government said the individuals and entities sanctioned "directly implement repressive measures, violate human rights and spread the Iranian regime's propaganda and misinformation."

Ali Ehsassi, a Liberal member of Parliament representing Willowdale, said Monday that the sanctions are "too little, too late."

"I can only speak for myself.I would say that we still have a lot of work to do," Ehsassi said in an interview withPower & Politicshost Vassy Kapelos airing Monday evening.

Ehsassisaid the Canadian government shouldcontinue pressuring the Iranian regime, which he called a "brutal theocracy."

WATCH |Iranian-Canadian Liberal MP says his government's response to situation in Iran "too little, too late"

Iranian-Canadian Liberal MP says his governments response to situation in Iran "too little, too late"

2 years ago

Duration 9:25

Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi says his constituents have been calling for the government to list the IRGC as a terrorist entity and that the government's sanctions on Iran announced today, don't go far enough.

On Tuesday in Halifax, Trudeausaidhis governmenthas stood bythe family members of those killed when the IRGC shot down UkraineAirlines flight PS752, killing all 176 passengers on board 138 with ties to Canada.

He said his government has "moved forward with some of the strongest sanctions against Iran by any country around the world, including, as of yesterday, sanctioning a number of the top members of the IRGC."

Those sanctions, Trudeau said, would ensure senior Iranian officials "are not profiting or benefiting from their role in the repression of human rights, including ensuring that we go after them for any assets or homes they may have in Canada."

Iranian-Canadians have organized rallies in cities across Canada in support of the protests in Iran.

Ehsassi, who is of Iranian background,saidthe government needs to listen to Iranian-Canadiansabout the state of Ottawa'srelationship with Iran.

"[Iranian-Canadians] want to see action, they want to see concrete steps ... our job is to actually work our way around these complex issues, and make sure that we're responsive to Iranian-Canadians," Ehsassi said.

Canada does not maintain diplomatic relations with Iran.

The sanctions freeze any assets of targeted individuals and entities in Canada, and prohibit any dealings with them. Those sanctionedare also prohibited from entering Canada.

Thomas Juneau, a professor of international affairs atthe University of Ottawa, said the sanctions are "a good decision." He saida number of Iranian leaders and their family membershave assets in Canada, visitthe country or send their children here.

But, he added, there's a difference between announcing sanctions and applying them.

"Canada has traditionally had difficulty fully implementing the sanctions it announces," he said.

Calls for governmentto designate IRGC a terrorist org

During question period on Monday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievreasked why the government has not listedthe IRGC as a terrorist organization. Poilievrecited the IRGC'sdestruction of Ukraine InternationalAirlines Flight752 in 2020. Fifty-five Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents were among the 176 who perished in the tragedy.

"Will the prime minister have the guts to stand todayandannounce he's banning this terrorist organization?" Poilievresaid.

Joly, in response, pointed to the government's sanctions on the IRGC. She did not indicate the government would add the IRGC to Canada's list of terrorist organizations.

EhsassitoldPower & Politicsthatsuch amove would presentlegal difficulties. He cited the fact that Iranian menmust serve in the country'sarmed forcesand can be conscripted into the IRGC.

But he said the government can find a way around the issue.

"My personal opinion would be that if you left it to lawyers, they could ensure that onlyIRGC officials above a particularrank could be included," Ehsassi said.

"We want to make sure that this does not ensnare all those young people who were forced to do their military conscription with IRGC."