As Canada commemorates the tragic downing of flight PS752, which claimed 176 lives, the solemn ceremony is overshadowed by the federal government’s continued reluctance to designate the primary branch of the Iranian Armed Forces as a terrorist organization.
All passengers and crew on board flight PS752 tragically lost their lives when the Ukraine International Airlines jetliner was shot down by Iranian officials in January 2020, just after taking off from Tehran. The tragedy, which resulted in the loss of 176 lives, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, has reignited criticism of the Liberal government.
A day before publishing a video highlighting his main concerns on Monday, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre posted to X, criticizing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for not banning the terrorist organization and “allowing the IRGC to legally recruit, raise money, and plan other violence in our country.”
“What is wrong with him?” asked Poilievre.
On Monday, Poilievre released the video on X on Monday, emphasizing that Canada must label the IRGC as a terrorist group once and for all. Poilievre challenged Trudeau, raising several questions — all starting with “How could you?”
“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? 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? How could you risk all of that to appease this terrorist organization?” asked Poilievre.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly posted to X on Monday, the anniversary of the downing of flight PS752.
“We remember each of them and honour their memories. In their name, we fight for justice from Iran, today and every day,” said Joly.
However, many responses to Joly on X suggested disagreement with the federal government’s efforts, citing their failure to list the IRGC as a terrorist group.
For example, Rex Glacer, a popular commenter on the platform, replied to Joly.
“You have done nothing but pander to these terrorists, from Tehran to Gaza; no better friend of evil than this Trudeau Liberal Govt,” he said.
Poilievre was not the only politician to voice concerns. Kevin Vuong, an Independent MP, demanded the Liberal government to list the IRGC as a terrorist organization as well.
“Despite promises to @zarei_arad [the father of a victim on the flight] and the families of the victims, the Trudeau govt still has not listed the #IRGC as a terrorist organization,” said Vuong.
Senator Leo Housakos from Quebec also expressed concerns with Trudeau on X.
“Justin Trudeau promised accountability and to this day … nothing. He refuses to even list IRGC as a terrorist entity,” said Housakos.
The pain and unresolved grief of the victims’ families were echoed in the words of Sarah Raviani, an Iranian-American human rights advocate. She said that the victims of Canada included 29 children, 53 university students, four newlywed couples, and eight entire families.
“Western governments, including Canada, bear a responsibility to hold Khamenei’s [Iran’s supreme leader] regime accountable for its heinous crimes,” she said.
On Monday, Trudeau is scheduled to be joined by Joly, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Transport Minister Pablo Rogriguez, and others for a ceremony at Richmond Hill. The ceremony will feature speeches, performances, and special presentations.
Other events commemorating the tragedy are occurring globally on Monday, following commemorations that were held in various cities—such as Toronto, Montreal, Paris, Berlin, and others—on Sunday.
The Friday before the anniversary, Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc said that he had asked the national security agencies to continue to advise the government on possible future terrorist group listings.
“When we have more to say on a particular change in posture, we’ll have something to say at that point,” he said.
