Keeping Canadians safe against terrorist threats
October 27, 2014 Ottawa, ON Public Safety Canada
The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today announced that the Government of Canada has introduced the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act to better protect Canadians.
Terrorism remains a serious threat to Canada and Canadian interests. The nature of this threat continues to be apparent both abroad and at home. Abroad, the public and direct threat issued by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) against Canada demonstrates that Canada is not far from the minds of those who would seek to do us harm. The Government is also aware of more than 130 individuals with Canadian connections who were abroad and were suspected of taking part in terrorism-related activities in Iraq, Syria and other countries. At home, just last year, our national security agencies also dealt with two separate conspiracies to conduct attacks here in Canada.
In order to continue to ensure the safety and security of Canadians, the Government will take action on two fronts through the Protection of Canada from Terrorists Act.
First, the Government is introducing targeted and limited amendments to the CSIS Act to ensure that CSIS has the tools it needs to investigate threats to the security of Canada. The amendments proposed will:
- Confirm CSIS’s authority to conduct investigations outside of Canada;
- Confirm that the Federal Court can issue warrants for CSIS to investigate threats to our national security outside of Canada;
- Give the Federal Court authority to operate within the scope of relevant Canadian law when issuing warrants to authorize CSIS to undertake certain activities to investigate a threat to the security of Canada outside of Canada;
- Protect the identity of CSIS human sources from disclosure, similar to protections afforded to informants to Canadian law enforcement agencies; and
- Protect the identity of CSIS employees who may engage in covert activities in the future.
Second, the Government will introduce technical amendments to the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act to allow the Government to seek earlier implementation of the citizenship revocation provisions that received Royal Assent on June 19, 2014. These provisions will enable the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to revoke Canadian citizenship from dual citizens who are convicted of terrorism, high treason, and treason or spying offences, depending on the sentence received. This action will reinforce the high value of citizenship, and ensure that dual citizens who have been convicted of terrorist acts do not continue to benefit from Canadian citizenship.
These measures demonstrate our Government’s continuing commitment to do what is necessary, within the law, to prevent terrorists and violent extremists from carrying out vicious attacks against Canadians.
Quotes
”Our Government remains focused on ensuring the safety and security of Canadians. The crucial role that our security and intelligence service plays in keeping Canadians safe cannot be overstated. We will continue to equip the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect Canadians with the tools they need to address terrorism in an increasingly dangerous global environment."
– The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
“Citizenship is a pledge of mutual responsibility and a shared commitment to values rooted in our history. Dual citizens who are convicted of serious crimes such as terrorism and treason should not have the privilege of Canadian citizenship, which is why our Government is taking action to ensure those who are convicted of such crimes against Canada have their Canadian citizenship revoked. By seeking early implementation of the new revocation provisions under the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, we are reinforcing the value of Canadian citizenship, while protecting the safety and security of all Canadians.”
– The Honourable Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister
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Contacts
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
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