Public Safety

During question period on public safety, Conservative MP Michael Chong asked about Iranian regime agents in Canada, citing a search warrant tied to shootings at a Toronto synagogue and the U.S. consulate, and noting that of roughly 30 operatives the government said a year ago were subject to removal, only one has reportedly been deported. He also asked how the government could take foreign interference seriously given its strategic partnership with China. Parliamentary secretary Jacques Ramsay responded that the government reviewed 18,000 Iranian visas, screened men of military age, opened 280 investigations, and identified 30 people who may have to leave Canada, and offered condolences for Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was killed while investigating shootings in Toronto. Parliamentary secretary Peter Fragiskatos noted the IRGC was listed as a terrorist entity in 2024 and said law enforcement and the Canada Border Services Agency are handling removals in accordance with the law.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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8 statements

Michael Chong, Wellington—Halton Hills North

Conservative
“Iranian agents are linked to attacks in Canada, but the government has only deported one of the 30 agents it found last year. I want the minister to explain what is being done to protect Canadians from them.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, Canada mourns the loss of Constable Marc Pinizzotto. The Globe has reported that a search warrant executed yesterday related to the shootings at a synagogue and the U.S. consulate. U.S. prosecutors linked these shootings to an IRGC‑backed terrorist network that is behind 18 attacks in the U.S., Canada and Europe. A year ago, the government identified nearly 30 Iranian regime operatives who should be deported. Since then, only one has been deported. What action is the minister taking to protect Canadians from IRGC operatives on Canadian soil?

Jacques Ramsay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Liberal

Linked statement

“We checked 18,000 Iranian visas, focusing on men of military age. We investigated 280 people and found that 30 may have to leave Canada.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for his question. The government has taken all necessary measures. We are taking this situation very seriously. We have reviewed 18,000 Iranian visas. All men of military age have been screened and scrutinized. We subsequently carried out 280 investigations and concluded that 30 Iranian residents may have to return to their country.

Michael Chong, Wellington—Halton Hills North

Conservative
“Canadians are afraid because people are shooting at synagogues, community centres, businesses, and the U.S. consulate. What is the government doing to protect Canadians and foreign diplomats from Iranian agents in Canada?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the fact that the government is carrying out a great deal of analysis. The death of Constable Marc Pinizzotto is not an isolated incident. Canadians are afraid. People are shooting bullets at synagogues, community centres, businesses and, now, the U.S. consulate in Toronto. Public safety is a national security matter. Canadians deserve answers. What new action is the government taking to protect Canadians and foreign diplomats from IRGC operatives operating here in Canada?

Jacques Ramsay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety

Liberal
“I share my condolences with the family and fellow officers of Constable Pinizzotto. He was killed while investigating shootings in Toronto, including one at the U.S. consulate. We will share more information as the investigation continues.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Constable Pinizzotto, as well as officers of the Toronto Police Service. Constable Pinizzotto was killed while participating in an investigation relating to multiple shootings in Toronto, including the shooting of the U.S. consulate. Updates will be provided as more information is available. We will know more in the next day as the investigation progresses. We will make this information—

Michael Chong, Wellington—Halton Hills North

Conservative
“The government said it would deport almost 30 people connected to the Iranian regime, but reports say it has only deported one. Has the government deported more than one of these people in the last year?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, U.S. prosecutors have linked the U.S. consulate and synagogue shootings to an IRGC terrorist network. In 2023, Global News reported that upward of 700 regime‑linked associates could be operating in Canada. A year ago, the government said that nearly 30 Iranian regime operatives who were here in Canada should be deported. Since then, reports have indicated that only one has been deported. Can the government confirm if more than one individual has been deported in the last year?

Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Liberal
“We condemn what happened. We listed Iran's military group as a terrorist group in 2024, and we are investigating visas. We will do what it takes to keep Canadians safe.”
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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, yesterday in the House, we heard from the Conservatives and the government. In a rare moment of unity, we expressed sympathy with what has happened. We condemned what has happened, and we continue to condemn what has happened. The hon. member knows very well that the IRGC has been listed as a terrorist entity since 2024 in this country, and we will always continue to act in accordance with public safety. Investigations on visas are ongoing as well. We will continue to do everything we have to do to keep Canadians safe. That is what we will do.

Michael Chong, Wellington—Halton Hills North

Conservative
“The government said foreign meddling from China is Canada's biggest threat, but it is still working with China. It also promised to deport nearly 30 Iranian agents, but has only deported one. How can Canadians believe this government takes foreign meddling seriously?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, a year ago, the Prime Minister said that the PRC’s foreign interference was the greatest threat to the security of Canada. The government now has a strategic partnership with the PRC. A year ago, the government said that nearly 30 operatives linked to the Iranian regime were here in Canada and should be deported. A year later, only one has been deported. How can Canadians believe that the government is treating foreign interference seriously and taking actions to protect them here on Canadian soil?

Peter Fragiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Liberal
“We trust border officers to keep Canadians safe. Canada lists the IRGC as a terrorist group. People who break the law are being targeted, and they can be deported.”
  • Government answer in Question Period

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  • Government answer in Question Period

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we continue to entrust law enforcement, in particular the men and women of the Canada Border Services Agency, to do what is necessary to keep Canadians safe. As I said before, since 2024, the IRGC has been recognized as a terrorist entity. Everything we do will be in accordance with public safety. Individuals who break the law are absolutely the focus of the government and the CBSA, and they can be deported.

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