Canada Lists Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Terrorist Organization The Canadian government has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under the country’s Criminal Code, after years of mounting pressure. Announcement and Impact Federal ministers announced the decision on Wednesday afternoon, following reports that the government was preparing to make such an announcement. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated, “This action sends a strong message that Canada will use every tool at its disposal to combat the IRGC terrorist entity.” Once a group is designated as a terrorist entity in Canada, police can charge anyone who supports the group financially or materially, and banks can freeze their assets. Background and Justification The IRGC is a branch of the Iranian military that answers directly to the supreme leader of Iran. It has been implicated in various terrorist activities, including the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in 2020, which killed 176 people, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly warned that Canadians in Iran could face increased risk of arbitrary detention after the announcement and advised them to return home or refrain from traveling to Iran. Calls for Designation For years, the association representing the victims of flight PS752, members of the Iranian-Canadian community, the Conservative Party, and the NDP have called on the government to designate the IRGC as a terrorist entity. The House of Commons unanimously approved a Conservative motion to do so in 2018. Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong criticized the government for delaying the designation for six years, arguing that the Iranian regime’s capabilities in North America had increased during that time. Government Response When asked about the delay, LeBlanc said the decision was based on advice from security services and foreign policy considerations. He emphasized that the government does not make such designations based on public opinion or parliamentary debates but on strong and compelling evidence presented to Cabinet. International Context Canada joins the United States in designating Iran as a terrorist organization. The US made such a designation in 2019 under President Donald Trump.