Canadian History

The evolution of Canada's involvement.

Canada-Iran Relations

A government's embassy website is an essential source when studying bilateral relations between two states. Although the Iranian embassy site focuses primarily on Iran, the Canadian site provides background into Canada's relations with Iran since 1996. Providing a yearly overview of relations, it notes important events such as the exchange of ambassadors in 1996, the tightening of its Controlled Engagement Policy in 2005, and its support of enhanced UN sanctions against Iran in 2008. Emphasis is placed on Canada's role in introducing a UN resolution highlighting the situation of human rights in Iran. In addition, general information about Iran, as well as statistics relating to bilateral trade are provided. Although this source provides limited analysis, it is important as a foundation to the study of bilateral relations between the two states because it promotes the official position as stated by the Canadian government.

Government Report: Canadian Embassy in Iran

Iran's Changing Story

Jailed after photographing a demonstration in Iran, Iranian-Canadian citizen Zahra Kazemi was arrested, interrogated, allegedly tortured, and murdered on July 11, 2003 in an Iranian hospital. When information surrounding her death appeared incomplete and inaccurate, Kazemi's family pressured the Canadian government to probe further. The resulting exchange between the governments in Tehran and Ottawa - polarized by public outcry - created tensions over critical issues in Iranian-Canadian relations. As human rights violations were central to the debate, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham's criticism of Iranian abuse led to retaliatory charges regarding Canadian policy in the Omar Khadr case. As Iranian judicial processes failed to produce verifiable suspects, charges, or evidence, the Canadian government withdrew foreign officials and cut off communication and cooperation on the Kazemi case, human rights policy, and nuclear non-proliferation; three cornerstones of the Iranian-Canadian diplomatic relationship. The Kazemi case has further complicated the tenuous relations between Iran and Canada.

Newspaper Article: CBC News

The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development: Fourth Report

The Baha'i community in Iran, especially under the existence of the Islamic Republic, has suffered intense persecution since its origin in 1844. In May 2008, the Iranian government arrested seven leading members of the Friends of Iran, a Baha'i organization that acts as a civil provider for the Baha'i community. It was found that this group was being monitored by the government and was being accused of crimes that were very unlikely to have been committed, including spying for Israel. In response to these events, the Canadian House of Commons officially denounced the arrests and suppression of the Baha'i community, acknowledging Canadian Baha'is' worries that the prisoners were not being treated humanely nor were allowed an attorney, while further calling for the release of the prisoners. This demonstrates that Canada's engagement with Iran will continue to emphasize its record of human rights abuses, particularly those against the Baha'i community.

Government Report: Canadian House of Commons

Iran Expels Canadian Ambassador

In 2007, the Iranian government expelled the Canadian Ambassador from Tehran. This was a direct response to a disagreement the two governments had had over who should be the Iranian Ambassador in Ottawa. Iran put forward two candidates, but neither of whom was deemed acceptable by the Canadians. The candidates were believed to have played some role in the hostage crisis between 1979 and 1981. After the Canadian ambassador was expelled, relations between Canada and Iran soured further. and Tto this day they have not exchanged ambassadors again. The charges d'affaires now represent the interests of each of the countries. Iran has not lived up to the 'standards for an international relationship' and their deteriorating connection with Canada may lead to more pressure in the future.

Journal Article: Toronto Star

Canada's Immoral Connection to Nuclear Iran

This article by Bob Bergen provides an entirely new perspective to on the much-discussed antagonistic Canada-Iran relations. Bergen argues that despite showing politically hostility towards Iran over the nuclear proliferation issue, in reality Canada has been providing continuous aid to Iran to support the building of a its "nuclear arsenal." Using his continuous research from the Canadian Defense & Foreign Affairs Institute, Berger brings to light new evidence that proves Canada's involvement in helping Iran to illegally amass nuclear power. The significance of this article is that it focuses on a fairly new dimension, albeit an important one, in studying the Canada-Iran relations by resurfacing revisiting the controversial issue of secret aid from the West. Furthermore, this article gives birth to puzzling questions regarding Canadian foreign policy in terms of the implicit nature of its political activities and moral acquisition.

Journal Article: Canadian Defense and Foreign Affairs Institute

Canada Joins Chorus of Protest Over Iran Election, Violence

Just days after the contested Iranian election, Canada's Foreign Affair Minister, Lawrence Cannon, condemneds the reported violence used against protesters and requesteds "full and transparent investigations" into the matter. This reflects thea pattern of Canadian's criticisms on of the Islamic Republic's observance of human rights and freedoms. These criticisms stem from 2003, when Canadian-Iranian photojournalist, Zahra Kazemi, was arrested and brutally murdered by Iranian forces. Relations between Ottawa and Tehran have been strained ever since. Cannon also expresseds concern about the alleged detainment and abuse of Canadian journalist, George McLeod who was reporting on the election. As one of the most recent conflicts in Iran, Canada's call for human rights observances and respect of democracy in Iran in the fallout aftermath of the election demonstrates solidarity with Iranian voters and protesters. But unfortunately, as Iran being is a relatively closed country, Canada cannot do much but voice support.

Newspaper Article: Montreal Gazette

"The Hollywood Option"

In November of 1979, in response to the admittance of Reza Pahlavi into the United States, Iranian students swarmed the US embassy in Tehran, taking sixty-six Americans hostage. "The Hollywood Option" describes the roles played by Canadian diplomat Ken Taylor, Prime Minister Joeseph Clark and Secretary of State to External Affairs Flora MacDonald, in hiding and arranging the escape of six Americans from Tehran who had managed to avoid capture at the embassy. This film presents a fascinating and illuminating view of the careful manoeuvringmaneuvering required by the Canadian participants both in providing the "houseguests" with safety, orchestrating this dangerous diplomatic operation, and perhaps more importantly, keeping it secret. This small snapshot of Canada's relations with Iran has interesting implications for the current Iranian conflict in its revelation of the apparent willingness of the Canadian government to intervene in Iran's domestic affairs, especially those where American interests are involved.

Video/Multimedia: Telefilm Canada

Canadian Technology Helps Iranians Bypass Censorship

After the 2009 elections, Iranian authorities blocked and filtered western news and social media websites. Psiphon, a software that was developed at the University of Toronto's Citizen lab, allows Iranians to access blocked sites through the creation of holes in firewalls. The CEO of the company, Rafael Rohozinski, calls this software the "human rights software.". It is indirectly allowing Iranians to express maintain their freedom of speech while they arebeing suppressed by the Iranian authorities. Western technology is now interfering with Iranian affairs, causing that overwhelm the latter who haveto expressed their frustration to Canadian diplomats. The only way to block this software is if Iranian authorities shut down the entire internet, which is impossible. Thousands of Iranians have used this software to express their thoughts over the iInternet after the controversial elections in June of 2009.

Newspaper Article: CTV news

Canada - Iran : la permanence des tensions

Certainly influenced by his studies in philosophy, Lionel Boulder, a French journalist, attempts to demonstrate how the cardinal points of the Canadian diplomacy towards Iran have been mobilized in front of the Iranian nuclear crisis. Because of its history that designed led to a doctrine commitment in favour ofto democracy, human rights, and peace among nations, Canada has always tried to stand firmly against Iran's hegemonic and nuclear tendencies since it calls into question the fundamental stability of an already fragile region. Moreover, having faith in the international system and collective action, Canada has followed analysis made by the UN and has becomewas the instigator of Resolution 1737 in 2007. It is also important to show that Canada has illustrated its political friendship towards the U.S. It is a relevant argument that reminds us of Canada's diplomatic approach, but L.Roller remains under the yoke of the "Canadian myth" that drives the European analysis.

Journal Article: PSI - Programme Paix et securites internationales

Exploring Canada's Relations with the Countries of the Muslim World

In 2004, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade released a report on Canada's bilateral relations with the states of the Middle East. On the subject of Iran, the committee addressed many of the focal issues in the relationship at this time. The most pressing concern for Canada at the time of theis report, and one which is still very relevant today, is the state of human rights in Iran. The report draws upon a wealth of expert testimony both in Iran and Canada to highlight the issues raised by the disqualification of reform candidates from the 2004 Iranian election and the death of Canadian-Iranian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi in Iranian custody, allegedly as a result of torture. It also brings attention to other important issues, such as the admission by Iran that it had contravened its commitments to non-proliferation.

Government Report: Canadian House of Commons

Behind the Scenes of Iran-Canada Rift

This article, written by Dr. Hooman Peimani, illustrates an important incident that is valuable to the understanding of the present Canadian-Iranian relations. This is an interesting source as theThe author examines the death of the Canadian photojournalist, Zahra Kazemi to mark a point in the worsening of relations between the two countries. While not the primary reason, Hooman argues that Iran's refusal to send Kazemi's body to Canada for coroner's examination prompted the rift. The photojournalist, Kazemi, was arrested in June 2003 while photographing outside Tehran's Evin Prison. Despite Iran's refusal to ship the body, Iran's vice-president, Mohammad Abtahi, admitted that Kazemi was struck on the head during interrogation and died from a brain haemorrhage. Initially it was announced that Kazemi's death was as a result of a stroke. The article also is a valuable source as it investigates the politics of the Iranian government in response to the murder.

Journal Article: Asia Times Online

Irwin Cotler and Alan Dershowitz: Iran Must be Held Accountable

The Iran Accountability Act (IAA) is a private member's bill created in June 2008 by Liberal MP Irwin Cotler. Alternatively known as Bill C-412, the IAA's foremost concern is President Ahmadinejad's repeated genocidal threats towards Israel. It also addresses Iran's nuclear proliferation and domestic human rights abuses. The IAA's proposed plan includes reducing Canadian investment in Iran and freezing the assets of those who contribute to Iran's nuclear or military infrastructure. It seeks to curb hate speech, applying international law to punish incitement to genocide, and limiting Iran's petroleum imports. While this bill has not yet passed or been debated, Cotler's principal idea is clear; by holding Iran's leaders accountable and reducing the genocidal threat to Israel, the IAA aims to benefit both the international community and the people of Iran. This bill identifies part of Canada's thinking and approach, especially regarding Israel, in current relations with Iran.

Newspaper Article: National Post

A Sordid History with Iran

Embassy Magazine provides a comprehensive background of Canada-Iran relations since 1979. It cites Canada's role in the release of US hostages in 1979 and the murder of Canadian-Iranian journalist Zahra Khazemi in 2003 as the two most prominent events in Canada-Iran Relations. Upon Canada's successful release of US hostages from Iran, Canada-Iran relations were strained, and Iran demanded an apology. Whenith no apology came, relations were severed until 1988. The Nnormalised relations were favourable for Canada's commercial and geopolitical pursuits. After Following the Gulf War in 1990, the Canadian embassy returned to Tehran after more than a decade, resulting in expansive trade and therefore favourable relations between the two countries. However, fifteen years later in 2003, the Khazemi case marked a negative trend in relations, similar to the post-hostage era. Over thirty years of unstable relations demonstrate Canada's unbalanced prioritisation between human rights and trade with Iran.

Newspaper Article: Embassy Magazine

Ramin Jahanbegloo: A Prisoner's Desperate Hope, and Brave Words

This series of articles in Maclean's documents the arrest, detention, and release of Ramin Jahanbegloo, an Iranian-Canadian academic who was accused of plotting with the U.S. to destabilize Iran and incite a Velvet Revolution. The articles, one of which is a post-release interview, shed light on the fragility of the terse, unstable relations between Iran and Canada regarding widely divergent perspectives on and practices in human rights issues. They reveal that the stagnant dialogue and mutually poor evaluations both nations carry of each other (for example, where having a Canadian citizenship in Iran constitutes involvement in illegal espionage), posed incredible challenges for the possibility of effective negotiation of the academic's release from the notorious Evin prison. This, in the context of Jahanbegloo's situation, could have resulted in fatal consequences if dialogue was misconstrued. Scholars suggest Canada needs to strengthen its voice in promoting civil rights in Iran.

Magazine: Maclean's