Immigration and Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs
418-2249 Carling Avenue (Main Office)
Ottawa, Ontario
K2B 7E9

RE: Immigration and Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations

Dear Minister:

Unfortunately the recent amendments made to “Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations” – specifically subsection 5(d) – seem to target business immigration applicants from Iran. We, the undersigned, would like to bring your attention to the following issues:

• Immigration authorities such as CIC, provincial departments and other organizations review and in some cases scrutinize the sources of income and financial means of immigrants. In other words they make sure that such funds are legally obtained.

• Limiting or banning the immigration of Iranian people would likely create prejudice and discrimination against the existing Iranian-Canadian population in Canada.

• This decision would adversely affect the livelihood of hundreds of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants and Immigration lawyers who directly deal with these clients. It would be unfair to this group of Canadians to face financial difficulties and/or lawsuits, lose their business, or even go bankrupt because of regulations that have not gone through normal administrative avenues. To the best of our knowledge none of the stakeholders had been consulted prior to this decision.

• We have once experienced the embarrassing “Chinese Immigration Act, 1923” to the point that the Honourable Prime Minister of Canada officially apologized to the Chinese-Canadians in 2006 and offered them financial compensation. Please kindly take this experience into account and prevent a similar regulation.

We would be grateful if you consider all these factors and use your authority to make an exemption for all classes of immigrants to Canada whether they live in Iran or not.

Your urgent attention to this matter is highly appreciated.

Yours Sincerely,

Petition drafted by:
Alireza Parsai
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant