Using SEMA to advance the Canada-Iran relationship
When Parliament reconvenes on Jan. 30, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development will continue to review the Special Economic Measures Act (SEM...
SEMA
Should Canada reopen its embassy in Iran?
One year ago this month, Iran and the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) reached a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement on the si...
Op-eds
Our Next Man (Or Woman) In Tehran
Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion recently confirmed that preliminary official contact between Iran and Canada has begun, toward the goal of restoring diplomatic relations between the...
Op-eds
Exploring the available economic levers to enhance respect for human rights
Thank you, Chair and Honourable Senators for inviting me here today. I commend this committee for turning its attention to the promotion of human rights abroad. Multiculturalism, which according...
Congressional Testimonies
Iran Accountability Week
Introduction: Chairman Munson, members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to appear before this distinguished committee. I applaud the Canadian Parliament for t...
Congressional Testimonies
Canada Must Not Cave to Iranian Demands
Over the last several weeks, terror victims have squared off against the Islamic Republic of Iran in a Toronto courtroom, seeking to hold that regime civilly liable for its sponsorship of terrori...
Op-eds
What to do about Iran?
Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion has confirmed his government’s intent to lift Canada’s sanctions against Iran, as the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 world powers...
Op-eds
How Canada Can Help Stem The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing the complexities of implementing his laudable campaign pledge to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year. The commitment to gran...
Op-eds
Cracking Down on Human-Rights Violators
Federal election campaigns are often characterized by negativity, but they are also a unique platform to present new policy ideas. Two recent Conservative pledges are worthy of consideration. For...
Op-eds
Cracking Down on Human-Rights Violators
Federal election campaigns are often characterized by negativity, but they are also a unique platform to present new policy ideas. Two recent Conservative pledges are worthy of consideration. For...
Op-eds
Sanctions Targeting Iranian Human Rights Abusers are Right, Not Radical
On September 23rd, Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson announced that the Conservatives, if re-elected, would amend the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) to include gross human r...
Op-eds
Iran Accountability Week 2015
Chairman Reid and honourable members of the committee, thank you for inviting me again to testify. It's a great pleasure to be testifying with two of my colleagues from Washington, Mark and...
Congressional Testimonies
Lessons for Canada from the Gaza War
While Israel battles Hamas both above and below ground, Canada should evaluate its own counter-terrorism strategies and foreign policy in light of the particular dynamics of this war. ...
Op-eds
Uniting Behind Human Rights
Last month, Canada’s Parliament displayed rare unity. Iran Accountability Week, which was co-sponsored by MPs James Bezan (Conservative), Irwin Cotler (Liberal) and Paul Dewar (NDP), sought...
Op-eds
Why the West Needs to Open Its Eyes to Iran’s Intentions
Honorable members of this subcommittee, I am privileged to appear before you today to discuss the status of the Iran nuclear negotiations. I will discuss why it’s more urgent than ever for...
Congressional Testimonies
The Human Rights Situation in Iran
Mr. Chair and honourable members, thank you for the opportunity to be here today. As you know, all four aspects of the Iranian threat are intrinsically linked. A regime that seeks nuclea...
Congressional Testimonies
Protecting Canada From Iranian Attempts to Acquire Dual-Use Technology
Good afternoon, honourable senators. I want to commend the committee on its decision to study how best to protect Canada from Iranian attempts to acquire dual-use technology. Previous witnesses h...
Congressional Testimonies
Canada Stays Strong on Iran
Canada has taken a tough public stance regarding the interim deal reached between Iran and the P5+1 on Sunday. Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird expressed great skepticism of Iran’s inten...
Policy Briefs
How to Negotiate with Iran
As the next round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 approaches, Canadians would be wise to temper their hopes for significant progress. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani campaigned...
Op-eds
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: Guardians of the Revolution and Violators of Human Rights
Honorable members of this subcommittee, I am privileged to appear before you today to discuss the role of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a vast system of domestic repres...