April 29, 2012
Dear Hon. Harper
The report of the closure of Canadian visa and Immigration section in Tehran by Harper government is a not a friendly action for the Canadian Iranian Community.
The colure will force the parents, family members of Canadian Iranian to travel to Ankara to apply for the visa which is unfair and bias by the government.
Ignoring the voices of majority of our community on the restriction of people and not the authorities will lead to the suffering of thousands of families of Canadian Iranian but not the regime of Iran.
In the past several years Canadian Iranian community has been trying hard to improve the service of the Canadian Embassy in Tehran which improved with the assistance of Mr. Jason Keeney, Canada Minister of immigration and citizenship, however, the new policy shift is contradiction of the Mr. Kenney’s past efforts and friendship gesture towards our community. For Instance, Mr. Keeney wrote to us on March 2009 that :
“ As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I would like to particularly acknowledge the many contributions that Iranian Canadians have made to Canada. The members of your community have long contributed to our society with their skills, knowledge and talent. Canadian diversity is a fundamental characteristic of our society and we applaud your efforts and contributions to that diversity, to the benefit of all of Canada. “
The new policy has been implemented by the Canadian Government will hurt the large number of Canadian Iranian Community. Also, it won’t help Canadian multiculturalism therefore, we request PM, Mr. Harper to correct the unfair policy promptly.
Thank you for your consideration.
Yours truly
Saeed Soltanpour
President
CC: Mr. Thomas Muclair _NDP opposition leader
Mr. Bob Rae _- Lib. Interim Leader
Mrs. Elizabeth May Leader of Green Party
MPs -Canadian and Community Media
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