The Government of Canada has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, effective today.
As a now-listed entity, the IRGC meets the definition of a “terrorist group” under Canada’s Criminal Code. As an immediate consequence of this listing, Canadian financial institutions, such as banks and brokerages, are required to immediately freeze the property of a listed entity. It is a criminal offence for anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by a terrorist group.
Listing can also assist Canadian security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism, including by helping to facilitate the laying of terrorism charges against perpetrators and supporters of terrorism. The terrorist listings mechanism plays a key role in countering terrorist financing. A listing can also help block sympathizers in Canada from providing assistance to terrorist groups.
The decision to list the IRGC through the Criminal Code listing regime sends a strong message that Canada will use all tools at its disposal to combat the terrorist activity of the IRGC, conducted both unilaterally and in knowing association with listed terrorist entities such as Hizballah and Hamas.
The Government of Canada will continue to fight terrorist threats to Canada, people in Canada and its interests around the world. After all, who would support the organization who turned their back on the Iranian people at home and abroad?
Key Messages
- Our government will always support those who advocate for their rights and freedoms against the Iranian regime.
- That is why over the past several years, we have taken a number of steps to oppose Iran’s human rights abuses and support of terrorism.
- We have levied strong sanctions against hundreds of Islamic Republic of Iran and its entities.
- And we have made tens of thousands of members of the Iranian regime inadmissible to Canada.
- Building on these efforts, we have announced the listing IRGC as a terrorist entity.
- This listing gives our security agencies additional tools to combat their terrorist activities and hinder those who would support them.
