December 10, 2024 – In a significant development, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has hinted at the possibility of listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The announcement, made at a memorial for the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, comes in response to persistent calls from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has been pushing for the ban since the tragic incident in 2020.

Trudeau, addressing the grieving families at the memorial, expressed the ongoing commitment to seek justice. “When the Islamic Republic of Iran shot down Flight PS752, it cut short the lives of 176 innocent people – people who were loved and who are missed every day. It is for them, and for their families, that we continue to be relentless in our pursuit of justice,” Trudeau declared.

The prime minister’s statement also included a surprising acknowledgment of the possibility of listing the IRGC as a terrorist organization. “We will continue our work, including continuing to look for ways to responsibly list the IRGC as a terrorist organization,” Trudeau added, drawing applause from the families mourning the loss of their loved ones.

This development follows relentless efforts from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has been advocating for the ban on the IRGC. Poilievre posted a video on social media, demanding decisive action and questioning Trudeau’s delay in outlawing the group responsible for the tragic incident. In the video, Poilievre stated, “Canada must ban the IRGC as a terrorist entity once and for all. How could you allow the same terrorist group that murdered 55 of our citizens and 30 of our permanent residents to operate legally in Canada?”

The Conservative Leader emphasized the potential risks, saying, “How could you let them recruit and raise funds on Canadian soil? How could you allow 700 agents of the Iranian terrorist regime to live freely here using the money they stole from the poorest people in the world to terrorize our Jewish and Persian populations, putting all of us at risk?”

In response to Trudeau’s announcement, Poilievre shared Trudeau’s speech on social media, criticizing the prime minister’s previous stance. “You’ve kept the IRGC legal in Canada 4 years after they murdered 55 of our citizens and 30 permanent residents, while 700 agents still terrorize our people,” Poilievre remarked, expressing disappointment at Trudeau’s previous reluctance.

The potential shift in Trudeau’s stance aligns with the sentiments of Canadians who have long urged the government to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The families of the victims have consistently called for decisive action. Conservative Leader Poilievre welcomed Trudeau’s announcement, framing it as another win in his pursuit to hold those responsible for the Flight PS752 tragedy accountable.

While Trudeau did not provide specific details on the timeline or the process for listing the IRGC, the acknowledgment of the possibility marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to seek justice for the victims and their families. The Coordination Group’s relentless pursuit of accountability may have played a crucial role in shaping Trudeau’s evolving stance on the matter.

The United States declared the IRGC a terrorist group in 2019, even before the Flight PS752 tragedy.