Launch of National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence and Update on Terrorist Threat to Canada: Terrorism threat level unchanged

OTTAWA, Dec. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is constantly working to keep Canadian families and communities safe from terrorism and violent extremism. National security is critical to providing economic stability and safe and secure communities. Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced the release of the 2018 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada, and launched Canada's National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence (National Strategy).

2018's Public Report provides an up-to-date analysis of Canada's terrorist threat environment, pulling together information from all Government agencies and departments that work on national security. Canada's terrorism threat level is assessed regularly, and was last updated in November 2018, when it was confirmed at medium. This level remains unchanged since early October 2014. Canadian security, intelligence, and police agencies work in close collaboration with domestic and international partners, and continuously assess their operations in response to all threats to Canada.

The launch of the National Strategy marks an important milestone in Canada's work to prevent wherever possible the kind of radicalization that leads to violence in the first place. The National Strategy outlines the Government of Canada's approach to countering radicalization to violence by preventing and disengaging individuals from violent ideologies. Three priorities have been identified: building, sharing and using knowledge; addressing radicalization to violence in the on-line space; and supporting interventions.

The Government continues to take all possible actions to counter terrorist threats to Canada, its people, and our interests around the world, while always safeguarding our rights and freedoms.

Quotes

"Canada's security and intelligence agencies constantly assess and reassess all data to be effective in keeping Canadians safe. Canada has a full range of counterterrorism tools, and we use all of them, including the Global Coalition against Daesh, intelligence-gathering, lawful sharing with our Five Eyes and G7 partners, criminal charges and prosecutions in every possible case, peace bonds, public listings, the no-fly list, passport revocations, and appropriate threat reduction measures. With our new National Strategy, Canada will also become a world leader in working to prevent the types of radicalization that lead to violence. "

- The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Quick Facts

• The National Strategy was developed by the Canada Centre on Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre). It was informed by what the Canada Centre heard from communities, experts, and other stakeholders, as well as key federal, provincial, and territorial partners through consultation and engagement.
• The Canada Centre was launched in 2017 and is a centre of excellence which provides national leadership on Canada's work to counter radicalization to violence, builds partnerships, and coordinates efforts among governments and community actors.
• The Canada Centre provides funding to organizations that work to counter radicalization to violence in Canada. To date, it has funded twenty-four projects worth a total of over $16 million.
• According to the 2018 Public Report, the main terrorist threat to Canada continues to come from violent extremists inspired by terrorist groups, such as Daesh and al-Qaida. Canada also remains concerned with the threats posed by those who harbour right-wing extremist views.
• At the August 2018 Five Country Ministerial meeting, Canada agreed with its Five-Eyes partners to expand information sharing about known or suspected terrorists.
• Canada has agreed with its G7 and Five-Eyes allies to counter the illicit use of online spaces by, among other things, working with digital industry on issues related to violent extremism and terrorist material. This includes engagement with the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, which is led by Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube (Google), to remove and prevent the uploading of violent extremist and terrorist exploitation from online platforms. 

Related Products

• 2018 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada
• National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence

Associated Links

• Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence
• Canada's National Terrorism Threat Level
• Managing Extremist Travellers

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Scott Bardsley, Senior Advisor for Communications, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]

Related Links

www.publicsafety.gc.ca