OTTAWA, Canada โ Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to immediately designate Kata’ib Hezbollah as a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code, arguing that recent allegations involving the Iran-backed militia demonstrate the need for stronger action against foreign terrorist organizations operating in Canada.
In a letter released Tuesday, Poilievre urged the federal government to move without delay, citing allegations contained in a United States criminal complaint involving a senior Kata’ib Hezbollah commander who is accused of coordinating attacks across Europe and North America, including incidents in Toronto.
“I am calling on you to immediately recommend that the Government of Canada list Kata’ib Hezbollah as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code,” Poilievre wrote.
“Canada should not wait for another synagogue to be shot or another foreign consulate to be attacked before shutting down the terrorist organization allegedly directing these attacks.”
The Conservative leader’s appeal comes amid continuing concerns about foreign interference, Iranian regime activities in Canada and a series of attacks targeting Jewish institutions and businesses over the past two years.
U.S. Charges Form Basis of Request
Poilievre’s letter references the May arrest by U.S. authorities of Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, who American prosecutors identify as a senior commander of Kata’ib Hezbollah and an operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to the U.S. criminal complaint, Al-Saadi allegedly helped plan, coordinate and claim responsibility for nearly 20 terrorist attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and North America.
Poilievre noted that U.S. investigators allege two of those attacks occurred in Canada.
The complaint reportedly links Al-Saadi to the March 10 shooting at the United States Consulate in Toronto and an attack targeting a Canadian synagogue.
According to the letter, investigators cited recorded conversations in which Al-Saadi allegedly claimed responsibility for attacks against “the consulate and the Knesset,” which investigators interpreted as references to the Toronto consulate and a synagogue.
Poilievre also stated that investigators allege Al-Saadi discussed operating multiple teams and seeking assistance to conduct additional attacks against Jewish and other targets in Canada and the United States.
Those allegations remain part of an ongoing U.S. criminal case.
Calls for Terrorist Listing
Kata’ib Hezbollah is an Iraqi Shiite militia backed by Iran and designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 2009.
Poilievre argued that Canada has yet to take equivalent action.
“Yet it is still not listed as a terrorist entity in Canada,” he wrote.
According to Poilievre, such a designation would strengthen Canadian authorities’ ability to freeze assets, prohibit financial transactions involving the organization, seize property connected to the group and prevent members from entering or remaining in Canada.
“There is no justification for delay,” he said.
Criticism of Liberal Government
The Conservative leader also criticized the Liberal government’s enforcement of existing terrorism laws.
“The Liberals have failed to enforce Canada’s terrorist laws with the urgency and strength Canadians expect,” Poilievre wrote.
He argued that listing terrorist organizations must be accompanied by active enforcement measures, including asset seizures, dismantling financing networks and preventing operatives from entering Canada.
“A terrorist listing is only as strong as the action that follows it,” he said.
Poilievre further stated that Canadians have seen “little evidence of serious enforcement” against members of the IRGC and other listed terrorist organizations.
Concerns About Jewish Community Security
A significant portion of the letter focuses on attacks directed at Jewish Canadians.
Poilievre wrote that synagogues, schools and Jewish-owned businesses have been subjected to shootings, vandalism, firebombings and threats.
“Jewish Canadians have watched their synagogues, schools and businesses targeted by shootings, vandalism, firebombings and threats,” he wrote.
He also stated that Iranian Canadians who fled the Islamic Republic continue to face intimidation and harassment from individuals allegedly connected to the regime.
Questions About Iranian Networks
Poilievre cited reporting by Global News alleging that hundreds of individuals linked to the Iranian regime are operating in Canada.
He also noted previous acknowledgments by the RCMP that it has received reports concerning Iranian foreign interference activities.
According to the Conservative leader, Canadians deserve greater transparency regarding how many individuals connected to the Iranian regime have entered Canada and what actions authorities are taking against those who pose potential security risks.
He also referenced the federal government’s 2024 designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity following years of political debate.
Poilievre argued that the government has yet to provide detailed information regarding enforcement following that designation.
Five Requests to Government
In his letter, Poilievre asks the Public Safety Minister to undertake five specific actions.
He calls on the government to:
- Immediately list Kata’ib Hezbollah as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code.
- Investigate whether members, facilitators or financial networks connected to the organization are operating in Canada.
- Disclose how many individuals connected to the Iranian regime and its proxy organizations have been identified, denied entry, investigated, detained or removed.
- Investigate possible links between Iranian-backed terrorist organizations and organized crime in Canada.
- Explain what actions Canadian authorities are taking in response to the alleged Kata’ib Hezbollah-directed attacks in Toronto.
Public Safety and National Security
Poilievre concluded by arguing that Canada’s security policies should prioritize preventing terrorist activity before attacks occur.
“Canadians must be free to worship without fear of gunfire,” he wrote.
“Iranian Canadians must be free to oppose the regime without facing its enforcers here at home.”
He ended the letter with a direct appeal to the government.
“Ban Kata’ib Hezbollah. Shut down its financing. Find its operatives. Keep Canadians safe.”
The federal government had not publicly responded to Poilievre’s letter at the time of publication. Likewise, no announcement had been made regarding whether Canada intends to consider adding Kata’ib Hezbollah to its list of terrorist entities under the Criminal Code.
