Former justice minister Irwin Cotler looks on as International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, on May 5, 2023.Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press
The House of Commons adopted a motion Monday to condemn Iran’s alleged plot to assassinate former justice minister Irwin Cotler and affirm Canada’s steadfast support for the renowned champion of human rights.
Federal cabinet ministers, opposition MPs and Canadian Jewish organizations also voiced their concern for the safety of Mr. Cotler, the international chair of the Montreal-based Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, who served as Canada’s first special envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism from 2020 to 2023.
The Globe and Mail reported Monday that Iran allegedly plotted to assassinate Mr. Cotler, a harsh critic of the clerical regime, but the attempt on his life was recently foiled by law-enforcement authorities.
On Monday, MPs voted unanimously in favour of a Bloc Québécois motion that stated the House “salutes Mr. Irwin Cotler’s contribution to the defence of human rights and the fight against racism and antisemitism, that it recall his political contribution as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2003 to 2006, and that it condemn the death threats against him orchestrated by agents of a foreign regime.”
Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal government’s senior minister in Quebec, where Mr. Cotler lives, said it must be “very difficult for [Cotler], in particular, and his family and friends to hear” about the alleged plot by Iran.
Defence Minister Bill Blair, the former chief of police in Toronto, said security agencies have requested that ministers refrain from discussing the alleged assassination attempt against Mr. Cotler.
“They’ve also asked that we not comment on any particular investigation or effort that they’re undertaking, but I hope it demonstrates the importance that Canada places on ensuring the safety of all Canadians,” he said.
“It is very, very concerning and we’ll take all measures that are appropriate, obviously,” said Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, while Treasury Board President Anita Anand called Iran’s threat to Mr. Cotler “reprehensible. ”
According to a source, the RCMP on Oct. 26 informed Mr. Cotler, a former Liberal justice minister, that he faced imminent threat of assassination within 48 hours from Iranian agents.
The source said legal authorities had knowledge of two suspects in the plot, but it is not known whether they have been arrested or fled the country. Mr. Cotler was advised on Thursday that the threat against him had been significantly lowered, the source added.
The Globe and Mail is not identifying the source because they were not authorized to discuss national-security issues.
The RCMP issued a statement Monday, saying the force could not comment on The Globe report for “security reasons.”
“For the safety of our members, those we protect, and to ensure the integrity of our operations, the RCMP does not disclose details about its protective measures or confirm individuals who may receive protection. Protective measures are based on ongoing threat and risk assessments,” RCMP spokesperson Robin Percival said, but added: “The RCMP takes threats to the security of individuals living in Canada, as well as threats to the sovereignty of Canada, very seriously.”
Mr. Cotler has been under 24/7 RCMP protection for more than a year after the Oct. 7, 2023, mass killings in Israel by Hamas gunmen. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) told him that he was a high-profile target of Iran, a long-time sponsor of the militant group.
The close protection provided to Mr. Cotler includes bulletproof vehicles, heavily armed officers and other security measures.
He has been on Iran’s radar for his global campaign since 2008 to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity. He has also represented Iranian political prisoners and is a strong supporter of Israel. In June, under pressure from opposition parties, Canada joined the United States in declaring the IRGC a banned terrorist group.
Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada director of research and advocacy, said the Globe report about alleged death threats against Mr. Cotler “is a distressing and stark reminder of the urgent challenges we face as a country in combatting hate, extremism and foreign interference.
“This isn’t merely an attack on one individual – it’s an assault on Canada’s democratic values and sovereignty and represents a threat to the safety of all its citizens,” he said.
In a post on X, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said that as a vocal critic of Iran, “Mr. Cotler has been under constant RCMP protection…as the regime continues its global campaign to intimidate and silence those who challenge its policies and speak out against its abuses.
“Combined with the growing threat of radicalization in Canada, this indicates that Canada must take this threat very seriously.”
Deputy Conservative Party leader Melissa Lantsman criticized the Liberal government for dragging its feet on declaring the IRGC as a terrorist entity.
“Trudeau allowed Iran’s IRGC [to] operate freely in Canada for years, continuously resisting calls to ban it. They banned them on the eve of a by-election they lost for politics and nothing more,” she said on X. “The IRGC used that time to set up the infrastructure that is being used today – they planned to assassinate a former AG.”
NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice said the threat to Mr. Cotler should be viewed a “wake-up call” for the country.