The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister Ottawa, Ontario
Re: Reconsidering the Reopening of Canada's Embassy in Iran
Dear Prime Minister,
Canada has long been recognized as a country that stands firmly for democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and the protection of those fleeing persecution. These values have earned Canada the trust and respect of hundreds of thousands of Canadians of Iranian heritage and are precisely why recent discussions about reopening Canada's embassy in Iran have generated deep concern within our community.
On behalf of the members and supporters of the Adherents of Constitutional Monarchy for Iran Organization (ACMI), and many Iranian Canadians who remain deeply concerned about democracy, human rights, and public safety, we respectfully ask your government to reconsider any policy aimed at reopening Canada's embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Our concern is not rooted in hostility toward the people of Iran. On the contrary, it arises from our commitment to Canada's security, to the safety of Iranian Canadians, and to the democratic principles that Canada has consistently upheld.
Our first concern is one of principle.
The Government of Canada has officially designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under Canadian law. At the same time, the IRGC continues to exercise extensive influence over Iran's political, military, security, and economic institutions. From our perspective, expanding diplomatic engagement with a government in which the IRGC plays such a central role raises significant questions about the consistency of this policy with Canada's own legal framework and its longstanding commitment to combating terrorism.
Our second concern relates directly to the safety of Canadians.
Diplomatic relations are built upon the principle of reciprocity. Should Canada reopen its embassy in Tehran, it is reasonable to expect that the Government of Iran would seek to reopen its embassy in Ottawa.
For many Iranian Canadians, this is not simply a diplomatic issue. It is a matter of personal safety and peace of mind.
Many members of our community left Iran after experiencing persecution or because they opposed the Islamic Republic. Others continue to have close family members inside Iran who remain vulnerable to pressure, intimidation, and retaliation.
Over the years, serious concerns have repeatedly been raised regarding intimidation and transnational repression directed at critics of the Iranian government living abroad. Whether these concerns involve journalists, human rights advocates, or political dissidents, they deserve careful consideration.
Any policy that could expand the presence or operational capacity of the Iranian regime in Canada should therefore be examined with the utmost caution.
Canada has always placed the safety and security of its people above political convenience. We believe this principle should remain unchanged.
Reopening Canada's embassy in Iran would not merely affect diplomatic relations between two governments. It would also profoundly affect the sense of security of many Iranian Canadians who chose this country because they believed Canada would protect the freedoms they could not enjoy in their homeland.
Prime Minister, history often judges governments not only by the decisions they make, but also by the risks they choose not to overlook.
We respectfully ask your government to place the security of Canadians, the integrity of Canada's counter-terrorism policies, and the confidence of the Iranian-Canadian community above any consideration of restoring diplomatic relations with the current authorities in Iran.
Canada has long stood as a beacon of freedom for those escaping tyranny.
We respectfully ask your government to ensure that this legacy is preserved—not only through words, but through policies that protect Canada's security, uphold its laws, and maintain the confidence of those who sought refuge on Canadian soil.
We sincerely hope your government will give these concerns the careful consideration they deserve. Respectfully,
Adherents of Constitutional Monarchy for Iran Organization (ACMI)
Nader Farid - Canada