June 23, 2010 -Today, Steven Chand and Asad Ansari were convicted of participating in a terrorist group that was plotting to bomb a number of symbolic Canadian institutions, including Parliament Hill and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Had this plot been carried out, it would have resulted in the killing of innocent people and serious injury of many others, not to mention extensive property damage and other economic and social harm.
These verdicts, although subject to appeal, nonetheless mark the last chapter of Project OSAGE. Since the inception of the criminal investigation by 'O' Division's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (O-INSET), the Anti-Terrorism Act has been tested in the courts through this and other cases, and the collective outcome has demonstrated Canada's ability to respond to terrorist threats and confirmed our belief that the path to successful disruption of terrorist threats is paved by effective law enforcement investigations.
No single agency can effectively respond to all terrorist threats. It requires a team effort such as the one exemplified by O-INSET, represented by members from the RCMP, CSIS, CBSA, the Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police and other law enforcement partners. This integrated approach, also used by our other INSETs across Canada, makes the most of the experience and expertise of the member agencies to lead the way in preventing, disrupting and investigating terrorists threats in Canada.
While I believe the evidence presented in court underscores the reality of the terrorism threat in Canada, I think it is equally clear that we in law enforcement are doing our utmost to keep Canadians safe and secure.
I believe the best way to respond to this threat, without sacrificing the rights of individuals, is through the criminal justice process. It is through the collection of evidence and criminal prosecutions that we maximize transparency, oversight and public accountability for actions taken, while also respecting the rights and freedoms of individuals.
In closing I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of our security and law enforcement partners and the many dedicated professionals who contributed to the successful prosecution of this landmark case.
Assistant Commissioner Gilles Michaud
National Security Criminal Investigations
