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2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada
4-17-2019
Canada's terrorist threat environment remains stable. The principal terrorist threat to Canada continues to stem from individuals or groups who are inspired by violent Sunni Islamist ideology and terrorist groups, such as Daesh or al-Qaida (AQ). Canada also remains concerned about threats posed by those who harbour right-wing extremist views. The April 2018 van attack in Toronto is a reminder that violent acts driven by extremists' views are not exclusively-linked to any particular religious, political or cultural ideology. Furthermore, Shia extremism and extremists who support violent means to establish an independent state within India also remain of concern because while their attacks in Canada have been extremely limited, some Canadians continue to support these extremist groups, including through financing. At the time of publication, Canada's National Terrorism Threat Level remains at medium, as set in early October 2014 – meaning a violent act of terrorism could occur.
Though Daesh territorial holdings in the Syria-Iraq conflict zone continue to decline, Canada has not seen a related influx in the number of Canadian Extremist Travellers (CETs) who have returned to Canada, nor does it expect to. Owing to several factors (such as a lack of valid travel documents, denying boarding to aircraft destined for Canada, potential fear of arrest upon return, their continued commitment to Daesh or other groups, having been captured while in Syria and Iraq, or because they have died), CET numbers abroad remain stable at approximately 190 individuals with a nexus to Canada, and close to 60 who have returned.
In an effort to project strength and influence to counter its decreasing support and size, Daesh is resorting more frequently to false claims of responsibility for acts of violence, including in Canada. In June 2018, after Faisal Hussain fired on the busy Toronto neighbourhood of Danforth, Daesh quickly claimed responsibility, despite the total absence of any link between the attack and that group or any other terrorist group.
While globally, terrorist attacks have seen a decline, particularly in the West, ungoverned and permissive environments continue to allow terrorist groups to regroup or develop capabilities. Al-Qaida, Daesh and their affiliates continue to conduct attacks in the Middle East, South-East Asia, South Asia (Afghanistan) and North and West Africa. The Taliban continues to challenge the authority of the Afghanistan government through terrorist acts, while other groups, such as Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen (JNIM), Ansurul Islam, and al-Shabaab remain active in Africa.
In Canada, and more generally, in the West individuals who claim allegiance or who are inspired by terrorist groups use low-sophistication, low-resource tactics (such as vehicle ramming) to commit violent acts which achieve mass casualties and garner significant publicity and reaction. These individuals or groups are often inspired online, which is also a venue for recruitment, facilitation, guidance on weapons and/or financing.
The Government of Canada's approach to countering the threat posed by terrorism also continues to evolve, in line with the nature of the threat. Regardless, its primary objectives remain the same – to disrupt potential acts from occurring and bringing all perpetrators to justice. Since 2001, 55 individuals have been charged with terrorism offences under the Criminal Code. In each case, measures and tools available to the government are employed in a flexible and versatile whole-of-government approach, which are tailored for each specific individual and situation.
Looking forward, Bill C-59, An Act Respecting National Security MattersNote1, would further enhance this approach by improving information sharing among security and intelligence partners; amending the Secure Air Travel Act to make it more effective at preventing travel by those intent on engaging in terrorism (while facilitating legitimate travel) and by amending parts of the Criminal Code to, among other things, make terrorism provisions more clear.
Finally, the National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence will outline priority areas aimed at preventing radicalization to violence in Canada, which are shaped by the evolving threat environment.
The report had been updated on April 12 after the Sikh Community Banned Liberals from the Vasaikhi Parade. The preveious version had the words "Sikh (Khalistani) extremism" which has now been changed to "extremists who support violent means to establish an independent state within India."
Full Report is available at https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/pblc-rprt-trrrsm-thrt-cnd-2018/index-en.aspx
Alameen Post has initiated a petition and we hope Muslim organizations and Muslims can become partners and activists to ask the Govt. to immediately revise the “2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada”
The petition is as follows,
Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament Assembled
We the undersigned residents of Canada draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:
THAT all cultures have some extremists yet not all cultures are attached to the names of the extremist acts when they are reported;
THAT to articulate a report which paints individuals that are followers of Islam with a blanket generalization is wrong and not very Canadian;
THAT the recent decision to remove references to Sikh extremism was the right decision;
THAT the Muslim community needs protection instead of being further victimized by being labelled as terrorists in the eyes of fellow Canadians;
THEREFORE, your petitioners call upon the Government of Canada to immediately revise the “2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada”
so that blanket references to the Muslim community are removed in the same manner that references to Sikh extremism were rightly removed.
If you would like to join our campaign and collect signatures at local mosques and be the agents of change.
Call or email any of the Brs. below to get a copy of the petition, if not atleast email to your local MP.
To help in organizing the campaign to collect signatures call the brs below and Visit our website to be connected with our advocacy. www.CanadianMuslimAdvocacy.org
Jafar Bhamji – 604-715-7187
Shazad Mansoory – 778-858-4085
Furquan Gehlen – 604-603-8741
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