Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  What I've basically come to conclude is that, first of all, there are some within the Iranian leadership—this must be said—who do subscribe to a very apocalyptic strain of a Shiite theology, and it does increase the likelihood that they might initiate a nuclear attack, even if retaliation would be devastating to their country.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Okay.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  No. There haven't been.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Correct. That's why I did feel it was valid to address this particular issue of listing a state agency.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Let me back up for one second, because I'm actually going to rethink my answer to your question about whether any terrorist entities are state agencies.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The answer is that actually there are, because Hamas and Hezbollah both play political roles, very legitimate political roles, within their country. So it is not the case that this would be unprecedented. With regard to your second question, about the actual evidence, there were very concrete cases and investigations.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you. Let me focus first on conscription because, based on my own discussions with individuals in government, I understand that this seems to be a really significant concern. Let me tell you why I think this is a weak argument. First of all, under SEMA, the Special Economic Measures Act, there are several entire branches of the IRGC that are designated as entities with which Canadians are prohibited from having certain dealings.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Two minutes—got it. Does it count if I talk extra quickly? Will that be...?

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  In terms of a state agency, the reason that fears are unfounded about the idea of listing a state agency as a terrorist entity in Canada is that, first of all, the Criminal Code, in which the provisions for the listing process are set out, does not prevent cabinet from designating a state agency.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Mr. Chair and honourable members, thank you for the opportunity to be here today. As you know, all four aspects of the Iranian threat are intrinsically linked. A regime that seeks nuclear weapons capability is rightly perceived as exceptionally dangerous when it is simultaneously implicated in human rights violations within its borders, support for and direct involvement in terrorism outside its borders, and issuing genocidal statements of intent with regard to other sovereign countries.