Hold the Government to Account on Iran-Canada Relations

It has been nearly two years since the federal government of Prime Minister Trudeau promised to reopen the Iranian embassy in Canada. Although many Iranian-Canadians supported PM Trudeau because of this promise, it has not yet been fulfilled and the prospects are looking dim. Iranian-Canadians are still unable to access basic consular services, like passport renewal, and are subject to possible discrimination at the U.S. border when trying to obtain those services in Washington DC.

The embassy is not the only issue: the lack of diplomatic engagement with Iran is also highly problematic. Without diplomatic engagement, Canada cannot address ...

It has been nearly two years since the federal government of Prime Minister Trudeau promised to reopen the Iranian embassy in Canada. Although many Iranian-Canadians supported PM Trudeau because of this promise, it has not yet been fulfilled and the prospects are looking dim. Iranian-Canadians are still unable to access basic consular services, like passport renewal, and are subject to possible discrimination at the U.S. border when trying to obtain those services in Washington DC.

The embassy is not the only issue: the lack of diplomatic engagement with Iran is also highly problematic. Without diplomatic engagement, Canada cannot address the needs of its citizens located in Iran in times of need.

The failure to deliver on this promise to Iranian-Canadians is a continuation of Stephen Harper’s failed policy of disengagement and sanctions on Iran. Though reduced under PM Trudeau, sanctions continue to negatively impact the lives of Iranian-Canadians. Every year Iranian-Canadians are having their bank accounts closed unfairly simply because they are Iranians -- this is unacceptable in a multicultural country like Canada. It is time to hold the government accountable on its promises.

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Email your Member of Parliament

Use this simple tool to email your MPs and ask them what they have done for reopening the Iranian embassy and for re-engagement with Iran. Voicing your concerns and engaging with your MPs is an essential part of Canadian democracy.

Calling your MP remains the most effective way of gaining their attention on an issue. Click here to quickly access your MP's phone number and for a script with talking points.

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Subject:

I am writing to you as one of your constituents.  The government of Canada promised that they would re-engage with Iran diplomatically and economically, but this has not yet been fulfilled. I would like for you to tell me what you are doing regarding the following initiatives needed to reestablish relations with Iran:

1. Re-opening the Iranian Embassy in Canada. It has been two years since the Liberal party promised us that would re-open the Iranian embassy. Without an embassy it is very difficult for Iranian-Canadians to access consular services, like passport renewal. In fact, 16,000 people from across Canada recently signed petition e-553 asking the government to re-establish relations with Iran as a matter of utmost urgency. Additionally, the legislative obstacles erected by the Harper government are still in place and are blocking the path for re-engagement, and bills like S-219 are attempting to create more barriers; these barriers need to be removed.

2. No sanctions on Iran. Sanctions on Iran harm normal Iranian civilians and Iranian-Canadians. As a result of sanctions, the bank accounts of many Iranian-Canadians continue to be closed simply because they are Iranian. Sanctions also clearly harm Canada’s economy: Canadian businesses have lost up to $4.69 billion dollars between 2010 and 2014 due to sanctions on Iran. Sanctions must be removed if Canada is to safeguard the interests of Iranian-Canadians and its own economy.

I expect you to respond to this email with a clear account of what you have done regarding these three issues,  and how you plan to move this file forward to guarantee that the Government finally commences full diplomatic and economic relations with Iran.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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