Pierre Poilievre is demanding Canada act immediately to label the Iranian-backed group Kata’ib Hezbollah as a terrorist entity. In a letter dated Aug. 2, he warned that 700 individuals with ties to the Iranian regime are currently living in Canada.
Poilievre argues that Canada’s current laws are not being applied with the strength that the public expects. He says the government must freeze assets, block financing, and stop operatives from entering or staying in the country.
2026 attacks and U.S. confirmation
In March 2026, three synagogues in Toronto were attacked. An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with two of the incidents, but no one was injured. Mohammad Bagher Saad Dawood al-Saadi, a senior member of Kata’ib Hezbollah, admitted to U.S. authorities the group’s involvement in the attacks. It is accused of receiving training, weapons, and financial backing directly from Iran’s government. Poilievre said al-Saadi was arrested for allegedly coordinating 20 attempted and completed terrorist attacks in Europe and North America, including the March 10 shooting at the United States consulate in Toronto and an attack against a Canadian synagogue. Al-Saadi also allegedly said he was running multiple teams and sought help carrying out further attacks against Jewish and other targets in Canada and the United States.
Canada's current terror designation
In 2024, the Canadian government designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity. But Poilievre says it means little if the group’s commanders and financiers are still allowed to operate in the country.
He calls on the government to explain what it is doing in response to attacks allegedly orchestrated by Kata’ib Hezbollah, which he says are targeting Jewish communities and dissidents in Canada. Poilievre insists Canada should remain a safe country for its citizens, not a hiding place for those sent to suppress opposition to Iran’s regime. The letter also calls on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to investigate whether the group’s members have established networks in Canada, investigate any linkages between Iranian terrorist proxies and organized crime, and disclose how many individuals connected to the Iranian regime and its proxies have been identified, denied entry, investigated, detained or removed.
In his letter, Poilievre said Kata’ib Hezbollah has been designated a foreign terrorist organization in the United States since 2009 but remains absent from Canada’s list of terrorist entities. He argued listing the group would make it illegal to knowingly deal in its property or finances, allow authorities to freeze and seize its assets, and strengthen Canada’s ability to prevent members from entering or remaining in the country.
The RCMP took over the Toronto investigation shortly after the shooting, describing it as a national security case.
“The Liberals have failed to enforce Canada’s terrorist laws with the urgency and strength Canadians expect,” Poilievre wrote. “A terrorist listing is only as strong as the action that follows it.”