100 Days on, Canada Still Waits for Real Reform in Iran

November 12, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:
“Today marks the 100th day since Iranian President Hassan Rouhani came into office, having been elected on a campaign of moderation, with promises to prepare a civil rights charter, to mend international relations and to rid the country of punishing sanctions.
“While there has been a more conciliatory tone from the new president, we must judge the Iranian government by its deeds, not by its words. Now, after 100 days, it is clear that these deeds have fallen short of the urgent actions required to address the situation of human rights in Iran.
“With President Rouhani, Iran has an opportunity to demonstrate that it can meaningfully address the demands of its people by taking concrete steps to grant Iranian citizens the human rights and dignity to which they are entitled.
“Canada stands ready to support real change in Iran if concrete actions are genuinely undertaken. Until we see these measurable and verifiable actions, we owe it to the Iranian people to forcefully encourage Iran to comply with its international human rights obligations.”
http://www.international.gc.ca/
media/aff/news-communiques/2013/11/12b.aspx

Canada 'skeptical' of Iran despite historic talk with U.S.
It will take more than a long-distance phone call, even a historic one, to thaw diplomatic relations between Canada and Iran, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird indicated in an interview with CBC Radio's The House.
U.S. President Barack Obama's spoke by phone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday, marking the first time leaders from the U.S. and Iran have spoken in over 30 years.

When asked about the phone call, Baird told host Evan Solomon he welcomed the change in tone but that Canada remained "skeptical."
Link:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-skeptical-of-iran
-despite-historic-talk-with-u-s-1.1871459