As the MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, I am blessed with the great privilege of being able to serve many Iranian-Canadian community members and new immigrants from Iran. I’m extremely troubled by the impacts that recent developments in international relations are having on how safe and secure our community members feel here in Canada and the escalating concern they are experiencing for loved ones all over the world.

Recent reports of detainment and interrogation of Iranian-Canadians at the US-Canada border hit particularly close to home. It should go without saying that Canadian citizens are granted personal rights and freedoms that do not vary based on their heritage or where they are born. Discrimination on those grounds is unacceptable.