Carney Defends Screening After IRGC-Linked Visa Denial

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government's immigration screening processes on Thursday after Mehdi Taj, president of Iran's Football Federation with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, received a temporary resident visa but was denied entry upon arrival at Toronto's Pearson International Airport earlier this week.

Carney, speaking at a press conference in Oakville, Ontario, declined to discuss the individual case citing privacy legislation. He emphasized the effectiveness of multiple screening hurdles and ongoing reviews. "The assurance, the core assurance, to Canadians is members of the Revolutionary Guard rightly have been prohibited from entering this country and they will not enter this country," Carney said. He added that no IRGC members have entered Canada since the group was designated a terrorist entity in June 2024.

The incident, first reported by Iran International, drew sharp criticism from Conservative lawmakers. Immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner called the prime minister's response "ridiculous," arguing it abdicates responsibility. "I'm sorry the privacy rights or can't comment does not override answering questions on how this...