Documents obtained through an access-to-information request reveal the prospect was the subject of a memo earlier this year to Public Safety Minister Vic Toews from his deputy minister, William Baker, and it was discussed in an inter-departmental meeting of deputy ministers.
While the memo was written about nine months ago, the group is not among the 42 entities listed as terrorist organizations in Canada’s Criminal Code. A spokesman for Toews would not comment on whether there is a move to list the group any time soon.
“The government has been outspoken in its condemnation of Iran’s continued support for international terrorism, its flagrant disregard for basic human rights, and its dishonest and dangerous nuclear ambitions,” Chris McCluskey said in an email.
“We are constantly evaluating the list of terrorist entities, but cannot provide comment on any potential ongoing process.”
A separate document, also obtained through access-to-information laws, shows that a package for the Conservative cabinet on listing of terrorist groups was given to Toews to sign in October.
Designating a group as a terrorist entity requires cabinet approval and the test is whether there is reasonable grounds to believe an organization “has knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity.”
Proponents of blacklisting the IRGC contend it is known for providing material support to the Taliban and a number of international terrorist groups, in the form of funding, weapons and explosives and basic and specialized training.
“Iran’s actions in Afghanistan constitute a mortal threat to Canadian forces stationed there,” says the Toronto-based Canadian Coalition Against Terror in a lengthy proposal this year that asserts that the IRGC has “earned its place along with al-Qaida and other groups on Canada’s list of proscribed terrorist groups.”
The IRGC was formed in 1979, following the Iranian Revolution, and it is comprised of about 150,000 members.
The memo to Toews notes that the IRGC is “separate from the rest of Iran’s armed forces.” It operates its own navy, army, air force and elite special forces known as the Quds Force.
“IRGC forces report directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” says the heavily censored memo.
It notes that the U.S. has already taken action against the group.
The opposition Liberals called on the government last December to “immediately” designate the IRGC as a terror group, describing it as “a paramilitary organization involved in domestic repression, military operations and support for terrorist networks.”
Liberal public safety critic Mark Holland said Wednesday that the Harper Conservatives are “really dragging their feet” on the issue.
A designation is important, Holland said, because it would be an official declaration that the group is a terrorist organization.
“You couldn’t raise money for them, you couldn’t act on their behalf, they couldn’t do anything here in Canada,” he said.
Virtually all the additions thus far are insurgent organizations and an issue before the government is whether it can outlaw a group that is arguably a government agency, according to the Canadian Coalition Against Terror.
Canada has already imposed and tightened sanctions against Iran, which among other things prohibit investment in the country’s oil and gas sector and bar financial institutions from establishing a presence in Canada.
“Deeming the IRGC a terrorist entity should not be perceived as a radical departure from existing Canadian policy,” said the proposal, sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“Canada is already enforcing UN mandated sanctions against Iran, which include partial sanctions against some individuals and entities connected to the IRGC,” said the coalition against terror.