This is the existential question when it comes to the effectiveness of sanctions. I've actually testified before this committee before on that very subject.
Sanctions, of course, can work in the short term, but the vast majority of the time, they work in two ways: They work in the long term and they work when they're done in collaboration with as many countries as possible. Sanctions implemented by a single country against an entity or individuals will likely not have a huge impact.
What sanctions have done in the case of Canada versus Iran is that, first of all, they have virtually eliminated all possibilities of large numbers of the Iranian leadership apparatus having any ability to do business and transfer funds to have any economic or financial dealings with Canadian entities.
It has also set a bar. It has sent a message to the world. In that sense, there is an element of leadership and inspiration for other countries that look at it. It may have a bit of a snowball effect, which may encourage others to follow suit.