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Four Iranian-Canadian organizations are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to launch an independent investigation into how Mohammad Reza Ghafouri Fard, the son of Iran’s former vice president, secured millions of dollars in Canadian government contracts. This happened while national security agencies were actively probing his alleged ties to Iran’s missile program.
Who Is Mohammad Reza Ghafouri Fard?
Ghafouri Fard, who operates under the name “Sal Ghafouri,” has been living in Edmonton, Alberta since arriving in Canada in 2013 under the skilled worker program. Before immigrating, government records allege he worked as an engineer at a Tehran-based company that developed weapons for the Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC controls Iran’s ballistic missile and drone programs, conducts overseas operations, and sponsors regional terror groups including Hamas.
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A Canadian Security Intelligence Service report further alleged that Ghafouri helped Iran evade international sanctions. It claimed he used a front company in Malaysia to illegally obtain materials for Iranian military projects. After arriving in Canada, he incorporated two Alberta companies — Melanite Group Ltd. and Radian Group Ltd. — both of which bid on government procurement contracts.
Contracts Awarded Despite Security Flags
Canadian national security agencies flagged Ghafouri as early as 2017. However, multiple federal bodies still awarded contracts to his companies in the years that followed. The RCMP confirmed it gave Melanite Group a contract in 2019 to purchase a borescope device and provide related training. The RCMP stated that “no security requirements were associated with the contract” and that it completed the required integrity verification before the award.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada also confirmed awarding Melanite Group a 2021 contract for scientific equipment used in type approval testing. In addition, the department confirmed it granted Melanite Group $15,000 under the Canadian Digital Adoption Program in 2024. Meanwhile, the Canadian military has not responded to questions about several contracts it awarded to Ghafouri’s companies. Global Affairs Canada also did not explain why it invited him to participate in official Canadian trade missions.
Organizations Demand Accountability
In a letter sent to Prime Minister Carney on Wednesday, four organizations formally requested an independent probe. The signatories included the Iranian Canadian Legal Professionals, Canadians for Democracy in Iran, Iran Justice Collective, and the Iranian Women Organization of Ontario. Seven individuals also signed, including Iranian-Canadian academics and a former Ontario MPP.
“The facts reported in this case raise concerns that go far beyond immigration enforcement,” the letter stated. “They point to a potentially serious disconnect between Canada’s national security, immigration, law enforcement and government procurement systems.” The groups asked Carney to investigate how Ghafouri obtained the necessary security clearances and contracts “despite the reported concerns regarding his alleged connections to the Islamic Republic regime and its missile program.”
The Toronto-based Abraham Global Peace Initiative also called for action. The group, led by activist Avi Benlolo, said it was “appalled” by what it described as an apparent failure of government agencies to share security information. “Canada cannot condemn the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while allowing individuals allegedly connected to its military infrastructure access to sensitive government procurement,” the group said. It demanded an immediate independent investigation, full public accountability, and reform of Canada’s security screening and contracting systems.
Government Response and Legal Position
Through his lawyer, Ghafouri denied being a security threat. He disputed all allegations against him and said he intended to pursue “all available legal avenues” to resolve the matter. In May, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada notified Ghafouri that it had initiated proceedings to refuse him citizenship on national security grounds. The agency declined to comment further, citing privacy.
Canada launched a broader crackdown on Iranian regime officials living in the country in 2022. Since then, authorities have worked to deport individuals who allegedly aided Tehran as it repressed its citizens and supported terrorist organizations. However, the Ghafouri case stands apart. The seriousness of the weapons proliferation allegations, the length of time the government took to act, and his extensive contract work with Canadian agencies make it particularly notable.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also weighed in on the case. He wrote on social media, “Why is he still in Canada? Get active IRGC regime operatives out of our country.” The calls for an independent investigation continue to grow as questions mount over how Canadian agencies failed to share critical security information about Ghafouri Fard over nearly a decade.
