Iran and Canada Canadians

Conservative government: The prime minister called Nowruz, the Iranian new year, "a time of renewal and rebirth." "Know that our government shares your hope that Iran itself will experience a renewal, that one day Iran will be a thriving, open country, and that the Iranian people will live free from tyranny and oppression," he said. "But until that time, our government will ensure that those who seek refuge from the Iranian regime can access freedom, democracy and justice here in Canada as Canadians." The crowd erupted in loud applause after Harper made the remarks, according to Huffington Post Canada. The Conservative government has taken a hard stance on Iran in recent years, after closing its embassy in Tehran and expelling Iranian diplomats from Canada in 2012. Harper delivered opening remarks Saturday night in Vancouver to a large audience at the Canadian Iranian Foundation 10th Annual Nowruz Gala. Harper went on to quote the Iranian poet Fereydoon Moshiri as writing: "Slowly, slowly, the spring is coming, what a beautiful world." "Today, our government joins with Iranians the world over in seeking the return of spring to Iran," Harper said. Kenney said in 2005 Canada received about 5,000 permanent residents from Iran, but that number jumped to 11,000 in 2014. "At the same time we've taken measures to do everything we can to ensure that those who are joining us in Canada intend to become good Canadians and to respect Canada values and to integrate successfully as Canadians, just as so many of you have done," Kenney said. National defence and multiculturalism minister Jason Kenney and local Conservative MPs Andrew Saxton and John Weston also spoke at the event. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.