Canada has listed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc made the announcement in Ottawa on Wednesday.
The decision follows years of mounting pressure for the Trudeau government to act.
“This action sends a strong message that Canada will use all of the tools at its disposal to combat the terrorist entity of the IRGC,” said LeBlanc.
“Our government will ensure that there is no immunity for Iran’s unlawful actions and its support of terrorism.”
People found to be associated with terrorist organizations can be charged under the Criminal Code of Canada.
LeBlanc said thousands of senior Iranian government officials, including top IRGC members, are now considered inadmissible to Canada.
“In addition to being banned from entering the country, current and former senior Iranian government officials who are in Canada may be investigated and removed,” said the minister.
The IRGC shot down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 in January 2020.
A total of 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents were among the 176 people killed.
