Canadian MP Demands Action After Iranian Activist's Disappearance
Conservative MP Roman Baber is calling for immediate government action following the disappearance of Masood Masjoody, a British Columbia mathematician and outspoken critic of Iran's hardline Islamic government. Authorities fear that Masjoody has been murdered, raising alarms about a potential transnational repression campaign targeting opponents of Iran's theocratic regime.
Rising Concerns Over Safety and Security
Baber's appeal comes amid a recent surge in violence against Canadian Jews, including a series of hate-motivated shootings at synagogues in Toronto. In a statement to the House of Commons, Baber criticized the Liberal government for what he described as a "soft-on-crime agenda" and politicization of Middle East issues, arguing that these factors have compromised the safety of Jewish communities in Canada. "Now an Iranian activist is missing and police fear that he is murdered," Baber emphasized, linking the incident to broader security failures.
Political Echoes and Policy Demands
Conservative Shadow Minister Michelle Rempel Garner supported Baber's call in a news release, highlighting that Iranian regime officials have been found residing in Canada, some even making asylum claims. She pointed to systemic issues, including "low enforcement capacity" and outdated laws, that hinder deportation efforts. Rempel Garner urged the government to take swift action to prevent agents of the Islamic Republic from entering Canada and to deport those already present, noting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is designated as a terrorist organization in the country.
The Presence of Iranian Regime Agents in Canada
Recent reports estimate that approximately 700 individuals with ties to Iran's IRGC and other senior regime officials are living in Canada. Despite Ottawa designating the regime as inadmissible in 2022 and the IRGC as a terrorist entity in 2024, deportation processes have been sluggish. This presence has sparked significant concerns about harassment, surveillance, and intimidation targeting Canada's Iranian population. Baber accused the Liberal government of failing to protect borders and deport these individuals, stating, "When will this Liberal government start protecting Canadians and finally deport those that are connected to the Iranian regime?"
Canada as a Hub for Regime Activity
Experts warn that Iran has established networks in Western countries for decades, with Canada serving as a logistical hub for activities such as money transfers, surveillance, and repression. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) recently disclosed that it thwarted potentially lethal threats against individuals deemed enemies by Tehran. For instance, former Liberal justice minister Irwin Cotler revealed he was under police protection after RCMP foiled an assassination plot by Iranian regime agents.
Voices from the Community and International Warnings
Mojdeh Shahriari, a Vancouver human rights lawyer and co-founder of StopIRGC, expressed concern that as Iran's regime weakens, more officials may flee to Canada. "My concern is as the regime weakens, they are going to use Canada as their future home more and more," she told the CBC. Internationally, Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, who is Toronto-born, warned that rising antisemitism in Canada could lead to violent attacks similar to those seen elsewhere, citing recent threats against Jewish communities across multiple cities.
This situation underscores ongoing debates about national security, immigration enforcement, and the protection of vulnerable communities in Canada, with calls for stronger measures to address foreign interference and ensure public safety.
