Expand targeted Iran sanctions
Petitioners ask the government to expand Magnitsky-style sanctions, apply the IRGC listing for asset freezes and inadmissibility, investigate Iran-linked interference and money laundering, create a foreign‑influence regime, and expel regime agents. The government responds that it has listed the IRGC, imposed sanctions, tasked RCMP/CSIS/CBSA/IRCC to investigate and enforce FITAA, and pursues removals and accountability.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would impose targeted consequences on officials and entities responsible for repression, increasing accountability for human rights abuses.
- Directing law enforcement to investigate interference and money‑laundering could better protect Iranian‑Canadian communities from intimidation and illicit finance.
- International investigations and cooperation could preserve evidence and support future prosecutions or sanctions against those responsible for mass abuses.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Expanding sanctions and enforcement will require substantial resources and may strain diplomatic or trade relations with other states.
- Immigration inadmissibility and expulsions depend on legal processes and evidence; removals can be slow and legally complex.
- A broad foreign‑influence or foreign‑agent regime and sweeping sanctions risk chilling legitimate diaspora activity and raising civil‑liberties concerns.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada The regime in Iran has, for decades, committed grave human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture, and executions; Since late December 2025, security forces have violently suppressed nationwide protests, with credible reports of mass killings, tens of thousands of deaths, and tens of thousands of arrests in early January 2026; and Canadian security agencies have warned of regime-linked harassment and intimidation occurring on Canadian soil, endangering Canadians of Iranian heritage and of all backgrounds. We, the undersigned, patriotic citizens of Canada, call upon the Prime Minister to: 1. Expand and rigorously enforce targeted sanctions, including Magnitsky-style measures, against leaders and entities responsible for repression; 2. Fully implement the IRGC terrorist listing through investigations, asset freezes and seizures, and prosecutions where warranted, and strengthen immigration and inadmissibility screening to prevent entry by regime officials and their affiliates and family members; 3. Direct federal law enforcement and security agencies, including the RCMP, FINTRAC, CBSA, and CSIS, to investigate foreign interference, transnational repression, and money laundering linked to the regime in Iran, and to protect Canadians from intimidation; 4. Ensure the foreign influence transparency and accountability regime includes meaningful penalties and strong enforcement, and reports publicly on outcomes; 5. Swiftly implement a robust foreign agent registry to keep Canadians safe from foreign interference and intimidation; 6. Work with international partners to pursue independent investigations and accountability for mass killings and abuses during the January 2026 crackdown; and 7. Expel and remove from Canada individuals acting as agents of the regime in Iran.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Public Safety Signed by JACQUES RAMSAY, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY 1. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing Canadian sanctions legislation. In this capacity, the RCMP serves as the lead agency for processing property disclosure reporting, provides support to Global Affairs Canada with asset confiscation and outreach activities, and conducts criminal investigations into the most serious violations. 2. The safety and security of Canadians remain paramount for the Government of Canada and the RCMP. On June 19, 2024, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) was listed as a terrorist entity as it met the definition of a “terrorist group” under Canada’s Criminal Code. As a consequence of this listing, Canadian financial institutions, such as banks and brokerages, were required to immediately freeze IRGC’s property and prohibited institutions from dealing with any IRGC property or providing them any financial services going forward. Having the IRGC listed also assisted Canadian security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in combatting terrorism. Listings the IRGC enables the RCMP to lay terrorism charges against perpetrators, supporters, and members. The terrorist listings mechanism also plays a key role in countering terrorist financing, blocking anyone in Canada from providing assistance to the terrorist entity. Listing the IRGC has built on Canada’s previous actions against the Iranian Regime, including: Designating the Islamic Republic of Iran in November 2022 as a regime that has engaged in terrorism and systematic or gross human rights violations. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, this designation resulted in thousands of senior Iranian government officials, including top IRGC members, to be inadmissible into Canada as well as providing the authority to investigate and remove current and former senior Iranian government officials residing in Canada. In response to a long history of abhorrent behaviour by the Iranian Regime, Canada has imposed an extensive sanctions regime, targeting a total of 450 Iranian individuals and entities across all levels of Iran’s security, intelligence, and economic apparatus. This includes the imposition of 18 additional rounds of sanctions (86 individuals and 28 entities) under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations since October 2022. These measures effectively freeze any assets the listed individuals and entities may hold in Canada. Canada has also listed the Islamic Republic of Iran as a state supporter of terrorism under the State Immunity Act, which has allowed victims to obtain compensation through civil suits under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act. 3. Investigating sanctions contraventions and identifying associated proceeds of crime is an investigative area for the RCMP, in addition to investigating money laundering by transnational organized crime groups and depriving them of proceeds from crime. Pursuant to Section 6(1) of the Security Offences Act, the RCMP is designated as the agency responsible for investigating threats to the security of Canada as defined in the Canadian Security Intelligence Act. This includes foreign interference offences under the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act, and sabotage and terrorism offences in the Criminal Code. As part of this mandate, the RCMP investigates reports of transnational repression activities targeting Canadians at home and abroad. The RCMP continues to be vigilant in disrupting these activities, particularly those targeting diaspora communities. The RCMP encourages all Canadians to report to their local police if they suspect they are being targeted, in order to ensure that the policing community can mitigate this serious threat. Canada maintains a robust immigration inadmissibility framework to prevent entry and deny status to individuals who pose national security and public safety concerns, including those involved in violating human or international rights. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has taken firm steps to counter the Iranian regime and ensure its officials, and those affiliated with them, are not welcome in Canada. The CBSA provides security screening advice to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada by providing admissibility recommendations pursuant to sections 34 (security), 35 (human or international rights violations), and 37 (organized criminality) of the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act on immigration applications prior to individuals travelling to Canada. At Canada’s ports-of-entry, the CBSA examines all travellers seeking entry to Canada. Officers conduct immigration examinations to ensure individuals are admissible to Canada and take appropriate enforcement action where admissibility issues are identified, which can include the issuance of an inadmissibility report with a goal of securing a removal order, or issuing an allowance to leave. The CBSA actively investigates individuals where it is believed they are a prescribed senior official in the Iranian regime, a member of the IRGC, engaged in interference in Canada’s democratic processes, or involved in transnational crimes. The Canada Border Services Agency pursues enforcement actions against potentially inadmissible individuals, and where sufficient evidence exists, reports them inadmissible and refers them to the Immigration Refugee Board for an admissibility hearing. If the Immigration Refugee Board determines the person is inadmissible and issues a removal order, the CBSA will remove them as soon as possible. In addition, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) continues to investigate foreign interference and transnational repression activities by the Islamic Republic of Iran and acknowledges that the Islamic Republic of Iran is an active perpetrator of state sponsored terrorism, foreign interference, and espionage against Canada. CSIS continues to investigate threats to life emanating from the Islamic Republic of Iran based on credible intelligence and building resiliency against foreign interference activities. Over the last year, CSIS has worked to counter the actions of Iranian intelligence services and their proxies who have targeted individuals they perceive as threats to their regime. In more than one case this involved detecting, investigating, and disrupting potentially lethal threats against individuals in Canada. As with other transnational threats, CSIS works closely with foreign partners and domestic law enforcement to counter these activities. CSIS also works with communities across the country to better understand their priorities, perspectives, and concerns and to share information to help build their resiliency against potential threats. In response to the conflict, CSIS is focused on ensuring continued vigilance to ensure the safety and security of Canada and all Canadians. CSIS has increased its operational efforts related to potential Iranian state-directed and violent extremist activity in Canada. CSIS has also increased engagement with affected communities, providing them with as much information as possible. CSIS does not generally disclose details related to operational activity. 4. The Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA or the Act) received Royal Assent in June 2024 as part of Bill C-70. The Act establishes an independent Commissioner and a public registry of foreign influence activities. Its purpose is to enhance transparency and greater public trust in Canada’s democratic institutions. The Act includes clear and meaningful enforcement tools to ensure compliance. Individuals or entities that fail to register as required, provide false or misleading information, or otherwise contravene the Act may be subject to administrative monetary penalties imposed by the Commissioner. In cases of serious or deliberate non-compliance, matters may be referred for criminal investigation and prosecution, with penalties that may include more severe fines and/or imprisonment upon conviction. The Commissioner is also empowered to conduct investigations, compel information, and report publicly on violations and enforcement outcomes. Together, these measures ensure the regime is supported by strong enforcement and meaningful consequences for non-compliance, helping to deter covert foreign influence and uphold the integrity of Canada’s democratic processes. 5. The Government of Canada is committed to bringing the FITAA into force and fully implementing the new regime as soon as possible. Before the Act can come into force, the three following key implementation elements must be in place: Appointment of a Commissioner and establishment of the independent office, including staffing and administrative support; Development of regulations outlining the detailed requirements for registration, exemptions, and compliance; and Development of a secure IT solution to support the public registry and case management system. Once in force, the regime will provide Canadians with greater visibility into foreign influence activities and strengthen Canada’s ability to deter covert foreign influence. 6. The RCMP has strong relationships with Canada's security and intelligence community and law enforcement agencies around the world. In particular, the RCMP works closely with our Five Eyes partners to respond to and maintain situational awareness of all threats to national security. When the RCMP becomes aware of an individual who has travelled abroad and it is believed that they have knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity or knowingly acted on behalf of, at the direction of or in association with a listed terrorist entity, the RCMP will initiate a national security criminal investigation. Where criminality is identified and sufficient evidence is collected, the RCMP will seek to apprehend and lay charges against the suspect(s) when possible. However, in national security investigations the preservation of public safety is always the RCMP’s top priority. As such, the RCMP leverages the full scope of its mandate to mitigate threats to Canada and Canadians as expeditiously as possible. 7. The designation of the Iranian regime was undertaken to prevent Iranian officials who are members of a regime that has committed war crimes and human rights abuses from travelling to Canada in the first place and to facilitate their removal as inadmissible if they are already in the country. In terms of enforcing the designation of the Iranian regime, as of March 5, 2026, the CBSA has opened 174 investigations, resulting in 32 Iranian individuals being reported as inadmissible to Canada. In 3 of those cases, the Immigration and Refugee Board found the person inadmissible for being a prescribed senior official in the Iranian regime, and issued a removal order. The Canada Border Services Agency has removed 1 of those individuals from Canada. Seven other individuals subject to investigation have voluntarily departed. The CBSA will initiate an investigation where there is information suggesting inadmissible individuals are in Canada, including those believed to be a prescribed senior official in the Iranian regime, a member of the IRGC, engaged in interference in Canada’s democratic processes, or involved in transnational crimes. If sufficient evidence exists, the identified individuals are reported as inadmissible, and the report is referred to the Immigration Refugee Board for an admissibility hearing. Admissibility hearings are held to determine whether they are inadmissible to Canada. Inadmissibility is a decision made by the Immigration and Refugee Board. The individual has a right to make submissions at the hearing and be represented by legal counsel. If an Immigration and Refugee Board decision-maker determines the person is inadmissible, they will issue a removal order. CBSA removal efforts can proceed after avenues of recourse (e.g., judicial review, Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, etc.) are exhausted. CBSA inland enforcement officers investigate both foreign nationals and permanent residents who are members of the Iranian regime or the IRGC, and report them as being inadmissible to Canada. Following the investigation by inland enforcement officers, the Immigration and Refugee Board holds an admissibility hearing to determine whether the identified foreign nationals and permanent residents are inadmissible to Canada. Persons found to be inadmissible by the Immigration and Refugee Board after an admissibility hearing is concluded are subsequently issued with a removal order. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act states removal orders must be enforced as soon as possible and the CBSA is firmly committed to doing so. The CBSA ensures the commencement of removal preparations when legal avenues have been exhausted and deportation orders become enforceable. Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Signed by Peter Fragiskatos 2. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has robust integrity measures in place to ensure that anyone who wants to come to Canada does not pose a danger to the security of Canada or Canadians, including by engaging in acts of terrorism, espionage, violence, crimes against humanity and war crimes, or organized criminal activities. IRCC makes decisions to approve or deny visa and immigration applications. IRCC completes a security review of every application and can refer select cases to Canada Border Services Agency who supports visa processing, along with security partners, by providing comprehensive security screening to IRCC. When derogatory information is uncovered during comprehensive security screening, a non-favourable admissibility recommendation is sent to IRCC for them to consider when making a decision on whether to issue a visa. Security screening processes allow IRCC to identify potentially inadmissible Iranian senior officials and members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. As of March 5, 2026, under the designation of the Iranian regime, we have reviewed 17 800 open and approved applications for potential inadmissibility, and cancelled 239 visas related to the Iranian regime. Additional information on actions taken to date can be found here. Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Rob Oliphant Parts 1 and 6 - The Government of Canada thanks the petitioners for raising concerns regarding the serious human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including reports of mass killings and other grave violations carried out by Iran’s security forces in response to the protests that began on December 28, 2025. Canada remains deeply concerned by credible reports of unlawful and lethal force used against protesters, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, restrictions on access to information, and other violations of international human rights law. Canada has consistently and unequivocally condemned violence against peaceful protesters and all forms of repression of human rights in Iran, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and freedom of association. This includes routinely coordinating with international partners to raise concerns about Iran’s poor human rights record, including its default to violence as a response to dissent. Recent actions undertaken by Canada and partners in response to the protests include: On January 9, 2026, Canada led a joint statement condemning the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protests, alongside Australia and the European Union. On January 14, 2026, Canada participated in the Group of Seven statement condemning Iran’s latest wave of brutal suppression and urging Iran to respect its human rights obligations. On February 4, 2026, Canada cosponsored a statement by the Freedom Online Coalition condemning the Iranian authorities’ repression of protesters, internet shutdowns, and other measures aimed at silencing dissent, and calling for respect for human rights both online and offline. The Government of Canada believes that perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable, and that victims and their families are entitled to truth, justice, and redress. To this end, Canada works closely with international partners to pursue independent investigations and accountability through multilateral mechanisms. One such mechanism includes Canada’s leading role at the United Nations in maintaining international scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record. This includes Canada’s leadership for 23 consecutive years on the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which condemns serious and ongoing violations, urges improvement, and calls on Iranian authorities to cooperate with human rights mechanisms. Canada also supports the work of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and relevant independent investigative mechanisms, including the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran. They are mandated to collect, preserve, and analyze evidence of serious violations, with a view to supporting future accountability efforts. On March 16, 2026, Canada delivered a joint intervention with Australia and New Zealand during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur and the Fact-Finding Mission at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 61st session. The intervention condemned Iran’s violent response to protests, demanded accountability, and reaffirmed the need for sustained international scrutiny. Canada actively engaged in the Special Session convened by the United Nations Human Rights Council on January 23, 2026, to discuss the deterioration of human rights in Iran in light of the authorities’ brutal crackdown on protests that began on December 28, 2025. At the Special Session, Canada’s intervention decried Iran’s entrenched impunity and violent repression of legitimate and peaceful demonstrations. Canada also engaged constructively in support of the Special Session’s associated resolution, which mandated the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Iran to specifically document and preserve evidence of Iran’s violent response to these protests to support future accountability processes. In addition to actions taken internationally, Canada also uses its domestic legal and policy tools to impose consequences on Iranian individuals and entities responsible for nuclear and weapons proliferation activities, gross and systemic human rights violations, and regional and global destabilizing activities. Since July 22, 2010, Canada has imposed sanctions on nearly 500 Iranian individuals and entities across all levels of Iran’s security, intelligence, and economic apparatus pursuant to theSpecial Economic Measures Actand the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law), with the majority of these measures enacted since 2022. It was on October 3, 2022, in response to Iran’s violent crackdown on women and girls and the suppression of nationwide demonstrations referred to as the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, that Canada took decisive action to amend the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations (Iran Regulations) to expand the scope of the Iran Regulationsbeyond nuclear activities to enable Canada to directly target Iranian individuals and entities responsible for gross and systematic human rights violations. Since then, Canada has listed 112 individuals and 17 entities under this criterion, with an increasing focus on those perpetrating violations against women and girls. Those sanctioned include judges within Iran’s Revolutionary Courts as well as officials responsible for enforcing discriminatory laws and orchestrating the violent suppression of peaceful protests. On December 15, 2025, Canada sanctioned four more senior Iranian officials for their direct roles in implementing repressive policies to violently suppress protests and/or for serious violations of the rights of prisoners, including arbitrarily detained protesters and political opponents. On March 6, 2025, Canada amended the Iran Regulations again to expand the scope to strengthen its ability to impose consequences on individuals and entities engaged in destabilizing activities in the Middle East and beyond that undermine international peace, security, or stability. This amendment introduced a new criterion allowing for the designation of current and former senior government officials beyond those affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In addition to measures under the Iran Regulations, Canada has listed three Iranian individuals under the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations and two Iranian entities listed under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations. On December 7, 2023, Canada also sanctioned two Iranian individuals under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (the Sergei Magnitsky Law), for their involvement in the tragic 2003 death of Iranian-Canadian photojournalist and human rights defender, Zahra Kazemi while in custody in Iran. Canada also works in close collaboration with international partners to counter transnational repression, including efforts by Iranian authorities or their proxies to intimidate, harass, or threaten individuals and communities outside Iran, including in Canada. This means undertaking targeted diplomatic engagement, coordination with like-minded partners, and the use of appropriate legal and policy tools to protect individuals and uphold Canada’s sovereignty and democratic values. Canada condemns transnational repression, in all its forms, and will continue to impose costs on those responsible for and/or who contribute to these grave breaches of international peace and security and infringements on human rights. On February 14, 2026, Canada announced sanctions measures on seven individuals linked to Iranian state bodies responsible for intimidation, violence and transnational repression targeting Iranian dissidents and human rights defenders. Canada has also worked with partner states, United Nations experts, and civil society to raise concerns about Iran’s transnational repression campaign at the United Nations Human Rights Council, including through interventions and participation in side events. Canada supports efforts to counter impunity through relevant international justice mechanisms. Canada works with partners to explore all viable avenues to advance accountability, including through evidence sharing, support for documentation initiatives, and engagement with international courts and investigative bodies, where applicable. The Government of Canada will continue to stand with the people of Iran in their calls for respect for human rights, accountability for violations, and an end to repression. Canada remains committed to working with international partners to pursue independent investigations and meaningful accountability for mass killings and other violations, and to ensuring that these grave events are neither ignored nor forgotten.