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IRGC

Thursday November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Irwin Cotler’s experience with Iranian harassment underscores Canada’s urgent need to counter foreign interference and safeguard its democracy, especially as Trump’s renewed focus on Iran creates a critical moment for action.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 21, 2024

Iran’s Meddling, Trump’s Rise and The Irwin Cotler Case

Canadian inquiries into foreign interference highlight the challenge of maintaining transparency without aiding adversaries, emphasizing the importance of careful oversight and accountability in protecting democratic processes.

April 6, 2024

Irwin Cotler, a former Justice Minister and a globally respected champion for human rights, has spent decades challenging authoritarian regimes, particularly Iran. His relentless advocacy has made him a target of harassment, exemplifying Tehran’s disturbing ability to extend its oppressive reach beyond its borders. Cotler’s experience highlights a glaring vulnerability in Canada’s approach to foreign interference—a vulnerability that must be addressed as Iran escalates its meddling internationally.

News: MPs unanimously condemn alleged Iranian plot to kill Irwin Cotler

Donald Trump’s return to power and his administration’s renewed focus on Iran present a moment of paradox for Canada. While Trump’s policies often draw progressive ire, his aggressive stance on Tehran could inadvertently create a reprieve from Iran’s interference, including its targeting of Canadian critics like Cotler. Yet, this should not lead to complacency. Trump’s erraticism cannot substitute for a coherent Canadian strategy to protect its sovereignty. Cotler’s case illustrates that Tehran’s interference threatens individuals and the fabric of Canada’s democracy. Canada cannot continue to rely on reactionary policies; it must develop proactive measures to shield human rights defenders, counter disinformation, and expose foreign influence operations.

Opinion: Get ready for “Maximum Pressure 2.0” on Iran

December 18, 2020

The stakes are high. Tehran has demonstrated its ability to manipulate democratic spaces while silencing dissent and undermining international norms. For Canada, this is a moment to step up—not merely to protect individuals like Cotler but to safeguard the principles he has fought for throughout his career. Trump’s policies may pressure Iran, but Canada must seize the opportunity to define its own path in standing against Tehran’s destabilizing activities. In doing so, it can honour Cotler’s legacy and reaffirm its commitment to defending democracy and human rights at home and abroad.


Canadians love to tell the world how polite we are. Peacekeepers, they say. Travellers with a maple leaf proudly stitched on our backpacks, the “nice ones” of the English-speaking world. Maybe that was true once, back when our actions matched the stereotype—when we stood tall in WWII, fighting for freedom on the world stage. But today? The world’s shifting, and that image feels more like nostalgia.

We’re under attack from foreign meddlers. Think of the Two Michaels—Spavor and Kovrig—held hostage in China for years as pawns in a geopolitical chess match. Or Michael Chong, the MP who discovered his family was targeted by Beijing in retaliation for his criticism of China’s human rights abuses. Let’s not forget the meddling in Canada’s Parliament, where China sought to influence elections, or Russia’s efforts to spread disinformation online to divide us and undermine democracy. And now, the case of Irwin Cotler—one of Canada’s most celebrated human rights advocates—threatened for standing up to the Iranian regime.

Sure, Trump’s got a missile in his hand and is ready to give Tehran a good scare. But can we really count on the U.S. to save us? The Irwin Cotler case is a loud reminder: Canada can’t afford to just lean on politeness and the hope of external protection. The threats to Canadian sovereignty are real, and they’re growing. It’s time we step up, protect our own, and defend the values we claim to champion. Cotler’s fight is our fight, and it’s about time we acted like it.

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Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2024-21, assassin, Canada, Donald Trump, foreign, interference, Iran, IRGC, Irwin Cotler, meddling, shadow, Substack, Substack3, USA

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