SECU – Opening Remarks – August 28, 2024

Speaking Notes
For
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Public Safety, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Democratic Institutions

Appearance Before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
Eldidi Case
August 28, 2024

Check Against Delivery
Word Count: 663 (Approx. 6 minutes)

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Chers collègues,

Bonjour et merci de l’invitation. Je me réjouis de pouvoir travailler avec ce comité pour vous aider dans votre étude.

As members are aware, the investigation and arrest of these individuals are the result of efforts from Canada’s national security, intelligence and law enforcement partners.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Toronto Regional Police Service, the York Regional Police Service, the Peel Regional Police Service, and the Durham Regional Police Service for their exceptional work.

As new information became available, our national security partners acted quickly to keep our country safe.

While I will gladly provide this Committee with as much information as possible, we must remember to have these discussions in a manner that does not impair the Crown’s ability to prosecute the accused.

All Canadians deserve answers and transparency and that is precisely what we, aim to provide, today.

This morning, I submitted to the Committee the chronology of events.

Members will note that the chronology shows that it was only in June of this year that CSIS became aware of the potential threat posed by the subject.

I was informed by CSIS on July 24, in a briefing where the RCMP was also present, that CSIS had been assessing the threat from these individuals based on recent intelligence.

Upon learning this information, CSIS took immediate measures to assess and mitigate the threat.

I was assured of, and briefed on, the close surveillance of the threat, including at the appropriate time by the RCMP, who were positioned to act on any indicators of escalation or imminent threat.

And, as you know, the individuals were arrested on July 28, 2024 and now are charged with 9 offences, including terrorism-related offences.

That is the way the system is supposed to work.

Cela étant dit, il est important de se demander comment ces personnes sont arrivées au Canada.

Le filtrage de sécurité est la première, mais pas la seule, ligne de défense contre les acteurs qui cherchent à entrer au Canada ou à y obtenir un statut pour tenter de causer du tort à nos citoyens ou à nos intérêts nationaux.

Ce travail est effectué en trois étapes: avant qu'une personne ne se rende au Canada, à la frontière et, parfois, une fois que la personne est au Canada.

Avant qu'une personne ne se rende au Canada, IRCC, l'ASFC et le SCRS travaillent en étroite collaboration pour effectuer un filtrage de sécurité des ressortissants.

Sur la base d'indicateurs de risque, IRCC identifie les demandes qui exigent un filtrage de sécurité plus approfondi par l'ASFC et/ou le SCRS.

L'ASFC et le SCRS utilisent une série de techniques et de méthodologies et s'appuient également sur un solide réseau de partenaires internationaux pour mener à bien ces évaluations.

À la frontière, toutes personnes souhaitant entrer au Canada sont assujetties à un contrôle par l'ASFC et doivent prouver qu'elles remplissent les conditions d'entrée.

Les décisions sont prises sur la base des informations disponibles au moment de l'entrée.

Les fonctionnaires de mon portefeuille et d'IRCC revoient actuellement les dossiers de ces deux personnes pour comprendre quelles informations étaient disponibles au moment où les décisions ont été prises.

Une fois ces éléments en main, nous procéderons rapidement afin d’apporter les modifications nécessaires pour renforcer le système au besoin.

What is important for Canadians to know is that our security services operate continuously, seeking out threats within Canada, and threats that come from abroad, and then responding quickly.

The fact that these two individuals are in jail and face serious criminal charges reflects the good work of the RCMP and their partners.

Mr. Chair, our government’s broader counter-terrorism efforts are designed to detect and prevent terrorism at the earliest opportunity.

Together with our security and law enforcement partners, our government will continue to prevent, detect, disrupt and respond to any suspected terrorist threats and activities.

Merci.