ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES Introduction “Homegrown Terror . . . in Toronto” fected young Muslim men, upset by the Focus shrieked the headline in the Toronto wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They also This News in Re- Star on June 4, 2006. Police had ar- share a belief that Muslims in view module deals rested a group of 17 Canadians, most of are treated as second-class citizens, with the arrest of 18 alleged mem- them under the age of 30 (including five singled out for racial profiling by the bers of a terrorist under the age of 18), and charged them police and intelligence services. cell in the summer with terrorist activities. Most were Cana- According to of 2006. We exam- dian citizens. All, with the exception of (June 15, 2006), CSIS lists many other ine the alleged plot the youngest, were practising Muslims. factors as contributing to the extremist and profile the The most serious of the charges, one mindset. “Internet postings, Al Qaeda- accused plotters. that six of the accused faced, was a plot style propaganda, edicts by Islamic We also briefly examine some of to bomb political and economic targets scholars, and a variety of foreign conflicts the other terrorist in downtown Toronto. These included have all been cited as factors contributing plots, both suc- the Toronto headquarters of the Cana- to a call-to-arms mentality. Socio-eco- cesses and failures, dian Security Intelligence Service nomic status is said to be a non-factor.” that have taken (CSIS) and the Canadian Broadcasting The arrests created concern in Canada’s place in other Corporation (CBC), as well as the Muslim community. Many found it countries since Building. hard to believe that these young people 9/11. Finally, we look at some of the Terrorist plots are not unknown to could be involved in such an activity. If steps our govern- Canadians. Nearly 300 Canadians were the allegations were proven true, how- ment has taken to killed when a terrorist bomb brought ever, most community members would combat domestic down an Air India flight from Toronto condemn the actions and point to alternate terror. to London in 1985. The alleged Toronto forms of protest. Mohamed Elmasry, plot, however, was quickly designated President of the Canadian Islamic Con- by the media as the first attempt by gress (www.canadianislamiccongress.com), Definition Canadians to commit terrorist acts on was quoted in the (June 4, Jihad is an Canadian soil. None of these allegations 2006): “We want to send a message to word meaning to has yet been proven in court. Publica- the community, especially youth, that in struggle or exert an effort. It does not tion bans make it hard to get at all the a liberal democracy, you can have a mean blanket use information behind the arrests. dissenting voice and you can be part of of force against What we do know is that most of the the political process by voting, running enemies or those accused seem to fit the description of for office, by seeking careers in law, with whom you what many commentators have called law enforcement, media, professions disagree. However, “Generation Jihad.” These are disaf- that the community needs.” Islamic extremists often use jihad as For Reflection and Discussion an excuse to com- Prime Minister made the following statement in a speech mit atrocities. shortly after the arrest of the alleged conspirators: “As at other times in our These acts are history, we are a target because of who we are and how we live, our society, condemned by the vast majority of our diversity, and our values—values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule Muslims. of law—the values that make Canada great, values that Canadians cherish” (quoted in the Toronto Star, June 4, 2006). Consider Harper’s comments as you watch the video. Do you think the alleged plot, as it is outlined, targets Canada because of the values he has described? Are there other factors that seem to be at play in this incident? Be prepared to discuss your opinions and ideas after viewing the video.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 19 TORONTO ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES Video Review

Answer the ques- 1. How many people were arrested in Toronto on terrorism charges in June tions in the spaces 2006? ______provided. 2. How many of those arrested were minors? ______3. What appeared to be the objectives of the arrested? Quote “While the over- whelming majority of Canada’s Mus- lims have been stunned by this development, few 4. Why were these alleged attacks to be launched? can honestly deny that they had seen this coming.” — , Mus- lim commentator 5. What complaints were raised by the suspects’ lawyers? (Toronto Star, June 7, 2006)

6. What role did the Internet apparently play in this plot?

7. What role did play in the investigation?

8. What impact have the arrests had on the Muslim community in Canada?

9. What new development happened in early August?

10. What is your personal reaction to the news of this alleged plot?

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 20 TORONTO ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES Timeline

January 2003 , later to Weapons are fired and what some Further Research be accused of leading a terrorist plot describe as a recruitment video is made To stay informed against Canadians in Canada, begins to there. The leaders are unaware that a about Canadian security organiza- post questions on the Islamic Web site paid informant, a former army cadet, tions, consider a ClearGuidance.com. During 2002 and has infiltrated the group. The group’s visit to the follow- 2003, Ahmad made over 750 posts. leaders see his training and skill as ing: CSIS at Another accused conspirator, Zakaria being of great potential benefit in www.csis-scrs.gc.ca, Amara, also became a member of preparing the plotters for future action. the RCMP at ClearGuidance. The Canadian Security Wearing winter camouflage, the www.rcmp.ca, and the Canadian Intelligence Service (CSIS) monitors group—which includes four youths— Border Services this Web site. engage in target practice and paintball Agency at battles. Evenings are spent watching www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. Late 2003 CSIS approaches a former what sources have described as jihad moderator at ClearGuidance, Salmaan videos showing battles in Afghanistan, Ziauddin, and questions him about 20 to Chechnya, and Bosnia. Update 30 of its members. Among them are On August 31, Ahmad and Amara. January 2006 The group dubs the 2006, Prime Minis- ter Harper an- alleged plot “Operation Badr”—naming nounced that in August 13, 2005 Mohammed Dirie, it after one of the most important Is- future, 4 400 22, and Yasin Abdi Mohamed, 24, are lamic Battles of Destiny, when faith is Canadian Border arrested after a customs officer searches to be put to the test. The first discussion Agents will be their car at the border crossing at Fort of potential targets takes place. Alleg- trained and equipped with side- Erie, . Three semi-automatic edly, these include storming the Parlia- arms. handguns and 182 rounds of ammuni- ment Buildings in and taking tion are seized. The car they are driving MPs hostage. Police claim that both is a rental—the credit card used to rent Ahmad and Amara said that it was Al the car is alleged to belong to Fahim Qaeda’s desire for world-wide jihad Ahmad. that inspired them.

October 24, 2005 Dirie and February 2006 Investigators secretly Mohamed plead guilty to weapons search the home of and charges and are sentenced to two years claim to discover a functioning remote in the Kingston penitentiary. Later, on triggering device for a bomb. Forensic June 2, 2006, they are also charged with investigators examine public library terrorist activities. At that time, in computers Amara was using and later addition to other terrorist-related allege that he was looking up chemical charges, Fahim Ahmad is also charged suppliers. The group led by Amara with gun-smuggling offences related to creates an organization called Student the arrest of Dirie and Mohamed. Farmers. Because the amount of fertil- izer required was too much to steal, the December 18-24, 2005 Many of organization was allegedly to be used as the alleged plotters attend a training a cover for the purchase of three tonnes camp in Washago, north of Toronto. of ammonium nitrate.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 21 March 2006 The group is believed to force deploys 400 officers in the opera- Did you know . . . have argued and split in two. One part, tion. Amara allegedly pays an addi- The ammonium centred in Mississauga, was more tional $4 000 for the ammonium nitrate nitrate sought by the Toronto men focused on a bomb plot than the group to the police agent. The police substi- was three times as in Scarborough. These members are tute a harmless powder for the chemical much as the believed to have been frustrated with and deliver it to the Newmarket ware- amount used in the the slow pace of the plot. Zakaria house, arresting the two men present bombing of a U.S. Amara and Jahmaal James assume there. Raids to the homes of the other government build- leadership of the Mississauga group. accused follow and result in the remain- ing in Oklahoma City, which killed They proceed to procure the necessary ing arrests. 168 people on April materials, trucks and drivers, and 19, 1995. narrow their targets. One of the mem- June 11, 2006 A deputy director of bers, Shareef Abdelhaleen, allegedly CSIS attends an outreach meeting with becomes the person with the job of Mississauga Muslims. He affirms that Definition obtaining the ammonium nitrate. the agency had been keeping tabs on the In this case mole plotters for some time and had even refers to a person April - May 2006 Abdelhaleen spoken with some of their parents. who infiltrates an allegedly gives a $2 000 down payment organization undercover and for the ammonium nitrate to a supplier June 7-21, 2006 British police then reports back who is actually a police agent. Two detain five men they believe may be to authorities. other individuals allegedly join the linked to the alleged plotters in the conspiracy and rent a house that police Toronto case. say was to be used to store chemicals and manufacture bombs. Later, a ware- July 2006 Mubin Shaikh admits to house in Newmarket is chosen as a infiltrating the group and working as a better location. “mole” for CSIS and the RCMP.

June 2, 2006 Seventeen suspects are August 2006 An 18th suspect, arrested and charged with being mem- Ibrahim Alkhalel Aboud, is charged bers of a terrorist cell. Of the 17 sus- with participating in terrorist training. pects, 15 are under 25 years of age. The By this time, two of the youths (one of Royal Canadian Mounted Police whom was 15 when he was arrested) (RCMP) indicate that the investigation and one of the adults have been granted is ongoing, and that there will be further bail with strict conditions. arrests. The RCMP’s anti-terrorism task Analysis 1. What commonalities can you see among the men accused of plotting to bomb sites in Toronto?

2. What lessons might police forces learn from this alleged plot?

3. What lessons might ordinary Canadians learn from this alleged plot?

4. Do you think this event will deter or encourage other potential terrorists? Explain carefully.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 22 TORONTO ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES The Alleged Plot

After the arrest of the 17 alleged con- In January 2006, the operation re- Quote spirators on June 2, 2006, the media ceived its name, Operation Badr. Initial “This group posed were eager to report the details of the discussions centred on Ottawa—could a real and serious threat. . . . Our terrorist activities that had been plotted. the group attack the Parliament build- investigation and The police, however, were reluctant to ings and take a number of politicians arrests prevented give many details. The one statement hostage? (It was at this point that one of the assembly of that police were eager to make was a the group, Steven Vikash Chand, alleg- explosive devices denial: the Toronto transit system was edly expressed his desire to behead the and attacks being not on the list of targets (attacks on Prime Minister.) Would it be possible to carried out.” — Mike McDonell, transit systems in London and Madrid blow up the Peace Tower? assistant RCMP had been especially horrific). The only However, the group’s base was in the commissioner (The other statement they would make was , not Ottawa. It Globe and Mail, that all of the targets were in Southern would be virtually impossible to put June 5, 2006) Ontario. together a successful plan without an The suspects’ first court appearance, Ottawa base of operations. It was at this however, included some dramatic time that a discussion allegedly began Definition allegations. The media were quick to to choose targets in the Toronto area. Alleged means to pounce. Typical was the headline in The The group had been under police and make an unproven Globe and Mail (June 7, 2006), which intelligence service surveillance for claim. It is impor- appears here just as it was written in the some time. According to the Toronto tant to remember that in Canada, Globe: “THE ALLEGATIONS Shock- Star (June 3, 2006), by February 2006 until proven guilty ing revelations as terrorism suspects “this group was being viewed in police in a court of law, appear in court STORM Parliament Hill and intelligence circles as Canada’s persons are consid- SEIZE the politicians BEHEAD the greatest terrorism threat.” It was also in ered to be innocent. Prime Minister.” February that authorities believe the Judges have imposed publication first steps were being taken to acquire bans on the suspects’ court appear- the components for a major bomb. ances, and much of what has been By March the group is believed to published in the press about the alleged have split into two factions. One fac- plot is unconfirmed. All allegations tion, led by Fahim Ahmad, wanted to remain unproven in court. The follow- slow down and put together a plan in ing description, however, is common to which the group would choose a public most of the media sources. place, open fire with weapons, and kill The group had determined that some as many people as possible. The second type of terrorist activity needed to be faction, led by Zakaria Amara, wanted undertaken to draw attention to Cana- to put together one or more truck bombs dian anti-Muslim activity, especially in as soon as possible and use them in the war in Afghanistan. It was only Toronto’s financial district. It is also after several members of the group alleged that the split was also over who attended a winter training camp in was prepared to die for the cause. Washago, Ontario, that serious discus- Ahmad allegedly was prepared; Amara sion began over what this activity allegedly was not. should be. The bomb plot proceeded and became

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 23 the key to the police action against the nitrate and then arrested those who conspirators. The weapon of choice was were receiving it. Police believe that the a combination of ammonium nitrate conspirators were working to a fertilizer and fuel oil. Ammonium timeline. Toronto Police Chief Bill nitrate has been used in many other Blair told reporters that he knew when terrorist bombings, including the World the group planned to attack, but he Trade Center in 1993, the Oklahoma would not elaborate. City bombing in 1995, the U.S. em- While the bombing plot’s details are bassy in Kenya in 1998, and the Bali not yet public, the main targets seem to bombings in 2002. have been the Toronto Stock Exchange Amara and his fellow conspirators are (TSX), CBC headquarters, and the accused of trying to arrange the pur- Canadian Security Intelligence chase of three tonnes of ammonium Service’s Toronto offices. CSIS was nitrate. This would be mixed with fuel likely chosen as a main target because oil to create a bomb that, according to of its location in downtown Toronto. one expert, could easily take down a But it was also likely an especially Toronto skyscraper. Cell phones would desirable target because CSIS agents be used as detonators. had interviewed many of the alleged The Canadian Fertilizer Institute conspirators because of their Internet (www.cfi.ca) works with the police to activities. Some commentators have help identify unusually large sales of also claimed that the group’s members ammonium nitrate. This sale would were angered by media reports that consist of three pallets of the chemical. CSIS was racially profiling Canadian To justify its purchase, Amara had Muslims. invented an organization called Student It is worth noting that the group has Farmers that would receive the ship- no known connections to Al Qaeda or ment at a warehouse in Newmarket, 30 other international terrorist organiza- kilometres north of Toronto. tions—the term homegrown seems to The group’s contact for the purchase truly describe the alleged plot. There was actually a police agent. To capture are, however, two men in Georgia the plotters the police used the same (U.S.) facing terrorism charges who kind of controlled delivery that is used seem to have some connections to in drug busts. They arranged the deliv- members of this group. ery of a powder resembling ammonium

To Consider 1. Why would terrorists target organizations such as CSIS, the CBC, and the TSX?

2. What other places or organizations would you suggest are likely targets of a terrorist attack? Why?

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 24 TORONTO ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES The Alleged Plotters

To date, 18 suspects have been charged Asad Ansari, 21 – One of the six men Quote in connection with terrorist activity in accused of plotting to bomb one or “The global climate the Greater Toronto Area. The one more targets, Ansari often attended the makes it easier for those who are common trait among the suspects is that Ar-Rahman Islamic Centre with other searching for an they are all devout Muslims. Their alleged terrorists. identity to relate to parents, for the most part, were not (radical) people.” especially religious. They are most Qayyum Abdul Jamal, 43 – Jamal was a — Munir El-Kassem, often described in the press as middle school-bus driver and a volunteer at the President, Islamic class, ordinary young men, mostly born Ar-Rahman Islamic Centre in Institute for Mississauga. He often led informal Interfaith Dialogue, in Canada. Of the adults, seven are from London (Ontario) Mississauga, four are from Toronto, and talks with younger people at the centre. (Toronto Star, two are in prison in Kingston. He is known to have associated with six June 10, 2006) of the other alleged plotters, including The Alleged Bombers Ahmad and Amara. Jamal was known Six of the adults face the most serious in his religious community for his charge: Doing anything with intent to radical views. Much older than the cause an explosion that is likely to cause other alleged plotters, he is the father of serious bodily harm or death or serious four sons, the oldest of whom is seven. damage to property. They also face other charges. This group includes: , 19 – Khalid is a student taking night classes at the Mississauga Shareef Abdelhaleen, 30 – Abdelhaleen campus of the University of Toronto. At emigrated with his father from the time of his arrest, his family de- when he was 10. He is a computer scribed him as actively job hunting. As programmer. His father is an engineer a high-school student he founded a on contract with Atomic Energy Canada. Religious Awareness Club; during lunch hours he preached Islam. Fahim Ahmad, 21 – Described as the ringleader of the group. Ahmad alleg- The Remaining Suspects edly distributed a video outside a The remaining seven adults and five Toronto mosque that praised the 9/11 youth have not been charged with hijackers as martyrs for Islam. He is involvement in the bomb plot. How- married with two children. ever, all face charges of knowingly participating in or contributing to Zakaria Amara, 20 – A university activity of a terrorist group (this charge student and father of an eight-month- is common to all the suspects). They are: old daughter is alleged to have at- tempted to purchase three tonnes of Ibrahim Alkhalel Aboud, 19 – Aboud ammonium nitrate to use in manufactur- was arrested two months after the other ing one or more bombs. Amara’s wife alleged plotters. He was described by is a sister of the wife of another accused friends and neighbours as friendly but conspirator, Ahmad Mustafa Ghany. shy. During one year as a student at his Amara is credited with developing the public secondary school, he regularly details of the bomb plot. led prayers for other Muslim students.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 25 Steven Vikash Chand, 25 – Chand University. Born in Canada, he is the converted to Islam from Hinduism in son of a doctor who emigrated from 2003, taking the name Abdul Shakur. Trinidad and Tobago. He was the first His closest friends—also converts to adult suspect to receive bail. His wife is Islam—say that he was focused on a sister of the wife of Zakaria Amara, living a life closest to the ideal de- one of the alleged leaders of the bomb- scribed by the Prophet Mohammed. He ing plot. is reported to have been a member of the Canadian military reserves from Jahmaal James, 23 – James was unem- 2000 to 2004. Until just before his ployed at the time he was arrested. He arrest he had been on welfare, but was is said to have recently married a now working at a Scarborough woman from Pakistan. He is also ac- shawarma shop. cused of seeking potential terrorist training sites in Pakistan while he was Mohammed Dirie, 22 – Dirie was one visiting there. of the two suspects arrested in August 2005 for weapons smuggling. He is a Yasin Abdi Mohamed, 24 – Mohamed landed immigrant from Somalia who is the second suspect already convicted came to Canada when he was seven. He of weapons possession and serving a is currently serving a two-year sentence two-year sentence. Like Mohammed for weapons possession and faces new Dirie, he is originally from Somalia and terrorism-related charges. came to Canada as a seven-year-old.

Amin Mohamed Durrani, 19 – At his Five unnamed youths (under the age of high school in Scarborough, Ontario, 18) – Many of the younger suspects are Durrani often delivered sermons about said to attend the same Scarborough Islam in the school’s prayer room. It is high school. The youngest, a 15-year- alleged that he knew the five youthful old recent immigrant to Canada, is said accused who, under Canadian law, to be a Hindu who converted to Islam. cannot be identified. Like the five other youths in the group, he is charged with attending the terror- , 21 – Ghany is a gradu- ist training camp in December 2005. ate in health sciences from McMaster

Inquiry 1. Is there anything in the brief descriptions of the accused plotters that might suggest why they would be attracted to violent action?

2. How would you dissuade someone who voiced anger and the desire to strike at Canadians?

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 26 TORONTO ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES Global Terrorism Since 9/11

Since the 9/11 attacks in the U.S., kilograms, were placed on four Spanish terrorist attacks have been planned and trains headed for downtown Madrid. carried out in many different parts of Cell phones were used as detonators. the world. Some countries—such as Three of the bombs failed to explode; Iraq—live with daily bombings aimed the other 10 killed 191 people and at both the military and the civilian injured another 1 400. Eighteen men, population. A few countries have been mostly of Moroccan origin, were the location for especially devastating charged in connection with the bomb- terrorist attacks; others, like Canada, ings. Shortly after the blasts, a video- seem to have succeeded in defusing tape was discovered in which a man them. Here are some of the most notewor- who claimed to be Al Qaeda’s Euro- thy terrorist hits and misses since 9/11. pean head claimed responsibility for the bombing. He said the blasts were in October 12, 2002 A truck bomb retaliation for Spain’s participation in exploded outside a nightclub on the the Iraq war. Three days after the island of Bali, killing 202 and injuring bombing, a new government, pledged to dozens of others. Most of the victims withdrawing Spanish troops from Iraq, were tourists. Police arrested 30 sus- was elected. pects, most of whom were believed to be members of Jemaah Islamiyah, a September 2004 Three hundred militant Islamic group with ties to Al and thirty-one people, more than half of Qaeda. The group has been linked to them children, were killed after mili- other bombings in Indonesia. tants from Chechnya took 1 200 people hostage at an elementary school in January 2003 Al Qaeda is believed Beslan in southern Russia. The terror- to have called off plans to release ists placed explosive charges all around hydrogen cyanide gas into the New the building. These were triggered York subway system sometime during when police attacked in an attempt to March 2003. This action could easily free the hostages. The terrorists were have killed as many people as the 9/11 demanding that Russia remove its attacks. troops from Chechnya, which Russia claims as a province. June 2003 Lyman Faris (also known as Mohammed Rauf), a truck driver July 7 and 21, 2005 On July 7, from Columbus, Ohio, was arrested and bombs in London that were carried in charged with providing material support backpacks onto a bus and subway cars to Al Qaeda in a plan to destroy the by suicide bombers killed 52 people. Brooklyn Bridge. The plot involved Three different trains were blown up in cutting the bridge’s suspension cables. co-ordinated blasts at 8:50 a.m. during Faris pleaded guilty and was sentenced the rush hour. The bus blast followed to 20 years in prison. about one hour later. Two weeks later the city was subject to a similar series March 11, 2004 Thirteen satchels of of attempted bombings, but the four stolen dynamite, each weighing 10 bombs failed to explode.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 27 July 23, 2005 The most devastating United States. Eight of the suspects of a series of attacks against Egyptian were charged with conspiracy to com- civilians by Islamic militants—attacks mit murder and preparing a terrorist act. that began as early as 1992—took place The suspects are alleged to have been in Sharm-el-Sheikh, a tourist centre. planning to smuggle parts of bombs Car bombs killed 88 and injured more onto planes, where the bombs would than 200 others. Most of the victims then be assembled and detonated. were Egyptian. Egyptian terrorists In their raids, British police seized regularly target the tourist industry, more than 400 computers, 200 cell which is an important part of the Egyp- phones, and bomb-making materials. tian economy. Police also found video recordings that indicated the plotters’ intentions to July 2006 Three suspects were ar- blow themselves up along with the rested in New York and accused of planes they were on. plotting to set off bombs in the tunnels At the time of the raids, police be- under the Hudson River into the city. lieved the plotters planned to take Assem Hammoud, a Lebanese who had action within a matter of days. Most studied in Montreal at Concordia Uni- authorities now believe that much more versity, claimed to be the leader of the preparation would have been necessary group. The Federal Bureau of Investiga- before the attacks could take place. tion discovered the plot through its regular monitoring of Web sites and August 2006 In New York, Cana- chat-room postings. dian and U.S. members of the Tamil Tigers were apprehended as they tried August 21, 2006 Eleven people to buy weapons for use in their war were charged in Britain with plotting to within Sri Lanka. bring down airliners on their way to the To Consider 1. Many readers like you are growing up surrounded by these terrorist attacks and threats. Do you believe the threat of terrorism has any affect on Canadian youth in general?

2. Does it affect you personally? Explain.

3. “We are seeing phenomena in Canada such as the emergence of home- grown second- and third-generation terrorists.” — Jack Hooper CSIS agent, (Toronto Star, June 3, 2006) Why do you think young Canadians would engage in this type of destructive behaviour?

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 28 TORONTO ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES Canada’s Role in the

For people around the world, terrorism number of Canadian troops deployed in is a fact of life. In some countries— Afghanistan was over 2 200. Most of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka spring them are in the southern part of the to mind immediately—hardly a day country, in and around Kandahar. goes by without a terrorist attack. In The Canadian forces are there to some cases these are against what is defend the population from attacks and seen as an occupying power, in others to assist in economic development. the targets are innocent civilians. They have regularly come under attack, Terror can be a very effective weapon both in battle and by individuals using to help a group achieve its aims. The terrorist tactics, such as car bombs. train bombings in Spain were aimed at August 2006 was an especially bad forcing the government to withdraw its month, with eight soldiers killed; as of troops from the U.S.-led coalition in September 4, 2006, 32 soldiers and one Iraq. The bombings took place three diplomat have been killed since Canada days before a scheduled national elec- first committed troops in 2002. Many tion. After the bombings, huge marches others have been seriously injured. took place to protest them. But in the Recent opinion polls indicate that election, the ruling party was defeated many Canadians are concerned about by a party pledged to the withdrawal of the continuing cost in casualties of Spanish troops from Iraq. Canada’s military commitment to Afghanistan. The Conservative govern- Afghanistan ment, however, remains strongly sup- Immediately following 9/11, Canada portive of the mission. On August 29, declared itself a willing participant in 2006, Defence Minister Gordon the “War on Terror” declared by Presi- O’Connor arrived in Afghanistan to dent Bush of the U.S. In its initial stage, reinforce that commitment both with with efforts concentrated on defeating the Canadian troops and with the the Taliban in Afghanistan and captur- Afghani government. New Democratic ing , the structure of Party leader Jack Layton has demanded this war seemed clear. But when the that Canada’s troops be pulled out by U.S. expanded the conflict to include February 2007. The current Liberal Iraq, a country that had no apparent leadership campaign has resulted in connection with the 9/11 attacks, several different views being expressed Canada’s Liberal government declined about Canada’s role in that war-torn to participate in the coalition that at- nation. As the casualties rise, it seems tacked and occupied that country. that Canadians have become more Instead, Canada has remained fo- divided on our role in Afghanistan. cused internationally on Afghanistan. It committed a large battle group to that International Co-operation country in early 2006. In March 2006, Canada is committed to defeating Canadian Brigadier-General David groups that target countries around the Fraser took command of a multinational world, not just those, like the alleged force made up of Canadian, British, and Toronto bomb plotters, that target Dutch troops. By August 2006, the Canada. It maintains a terrorist watch

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 29 list that includes not only Al Qaeda, but describes its role as follows (www.csis- Further Research groups like , , and the scrs.gc.ca/en/about_us/ The official CSIS Tamil Tigers. role_of_csis.asp): “CSIS is at the fore- Web site is at www.csis-scrs.gc.ca/ In a recent example of international front of Canada’s national security en/index.asp. co-operation, the Royal Canadian establishment and, as such, its programs Mounted Police (RCMP) and the U.S. are proactive and pre-emptive. The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked Service’s role is to investigate threats, Quote together to arrest a number of Canadi- analyze information and produce intelli- “The terrorist only ans and Americans of Tamil descent for gence; it then reports to, and advises, has to be lucky conspiring to supply the Tamil Tigers in the Government of Canada, so as to once. The cops Sri Lanka with a variety of weapons, protect the country and its citizens. Key have to be lucky including missiles and assault rifles. threats include terrorism, the prolifera- every time.” — While the allegations remain to be tion of weapons of mass destruction, Liberal Senator Colin Kenney, proven in court, authorities were quick espionage, foreign interference, and Maclean’s June 19, to praise the co-operation between the cyber-tampering affecting critical 2006 two forces. The Toronto Star (August infrastructure.” 24, 2006) pointed to the case as an CSIS sees its role as protecting important reminder “that an open country Canadians both at home and abroad like Canada must not just guard against a from terrorist threats. One key to its group like Al Qaeda targeting us, but anti-terrorist operations is the collection must also refuse to grant safe haven here of intelligence from a variety of to individuals or groups that conspire to sources, including the monitoring of target other countries, or raise funds here electronic media and the Internet. A to support violence elsewhere.” second key is information-sharing with other Canadian government agencies, Canadian Security Intelligence including the RCMP and Foreign Service (CSIS) Affairs Canada. It also works closely CSIS is a major player in Canada’s with Canada’s allies to counteract “War on Terror.” The organization terrorist threats around the world.

Responding 1. In your view what are the positive and negative aspects of Canada’s in- volvement in the “War on Terror”?

2. What changes, if any, would you make to Canada’s role in the “War on Terror”? Be specific.

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 30 TORONTO ARRESTS: 18 FACE TERROR CHARGES Activity: Combating Terrorism

For many governments across the globe, the threat of terrorism is the most Did you know . . . important issue facing their citizens. Canada has remained relatively unscathed, The RCMP runs a but clearly faces the possibility of a major terrorist attack, While CSIS, the National Security RCMP, and the government are engaged in the struggle to protect Canada and Tip Line at 1-800- Canadians, perhaps there is something that all Canadians can do. 420-5805 to report information re- Working in small groups of four or five, try to draft a workable plan to enhance garding terrorism, security in Canada during these years of terrorist threats. Once you have criminal extremism, drafted a plan, be prepared to share it with your peers. After all groups have or suspicious activi- presented, try to organize it into a coherent policy. Remember to carefully ties that could pose consider the impact of costs, limits to freedom, etc. that your ideas may incur. a threat to national The organizer below may help you to structure your ideas. safety and security. Combatting Terrorism

Our Proposal Arguments For Arguments Opposed Likely Impact

Extension If you feel that your ideas have considerable merit, mail them or present them to your local member of Parliament. Mail may be sent postage-free to any MP at the following address: House of Commons Parliament Buildings Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0A6

CBC News in Review • September 2006 • Page 31