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FDD Testimony Before the Canadian Parliament

Parliament Hill, Ottawa

  • On December 5, 2011, Mark Dubowitz and Sheryl Saperia testified before the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence. The committee had been studying how to protect Canada from Iranian attempts to acquire dual-use technology. Mark focused on the issue of administrative penalties for export control violations, and addressed questions related to sanctions. Sheryl spoke of the need to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in Canada, and how such a designation would weaken Iran’s ability to procure dual-use technology. The transcripts can be read here, and the video of their testimony can be accessed here or here.
  • On February 8, 2012, FDD Executive Director Mark Dubowitz and FDD Director of Policy (Canada) Sheryl Saperia testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The committee has undertaken to “examine and report on Canadian foreign policy regarding Iran, its implications, and other related matters.” Dubowitz provided a comprehensive overview of the US landscape regarding sanctions against Iran, and Saperia outlined the Iranian threat to Canada. Both offered concrete recommendations on how Canada can strengthen its response to the Iranian threat. Emphasis was placed on the importance of designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity in Canada. The testimony can be listened to here, and written transcripts are available here.
  • On February 20, 2012, Sheryl Saperia, FDD’s Director of Policy for Canada, testified before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee as an expert witness on the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act (JVTA). The JVTA, which comprises one portion of the federal government’s omnibus crime bill, would enable victims of terrorism to file civil lawsuits against local and state sponsors and perpetrators of terrorism. Her testimony can be read here and watched here.
  • The House of Commons Subcommittee on International Human Rights is currently studying the Iranian fourfold threat – nuclear, genocidal incitement, terrorist and massive domestic human rights violations. Two FDD experts were called to testify before this committee. On March 27, 2012, FDD Senior Fellow Emanuele Ottolenghi focused his remarks on Iran’s egregious human rights violations. His testimony can be accessed here. FDD’s Director of Policy for Canada, Sheryl Saperia, focused her testimony on March 29, 2012 on the terrorist element of the Iranian threat. A written copy of her testimony will be made available within the next week, while the audio recording is available now by clicking here, then on the date of March 29, then on the “webcast” icon.

FDD's work on Canadian Policy