Oh, I Like That!

Canada forbids Iran to open Vancouver consulate

"Iran wants to open a consulate in Vancouver to serve the city’s Iranian-Canadian population, who under some circumstances must go to Ottawa to get consular services, but a federal government policy prohibits it.

Many Iranians have business interests or family members in Iran, Kambiz Sheikh-Hassani, Charge d’Affairs of Iran’s Ottawa embassy said in a statement.

Because that country’s law does not recognize dual citizenship, they must use Iranian travel documents to enter the country.

The only place in Canada where these documents can be obtained is through Iran’s embassy in Ottawa. This means Iranian-Canadians living outside of Ottawa must put valuable documents such as birth certificates and passports in the mail, Sheikh-Hassani said.

Other transactions, such as the issuance of an Iranian birth certificate or power of attorney for valuable transactions, must be completed in person. This means the applicant must either go to Ottawa or wait for embassy representatives to come to them."

Awe. Too bad. So sad.