Countering Violent Extremism

November 21, 2014, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Participants: The Minister of Public Safety Canada, the Minister of Justice, the Deputy Ministers of Public Safety Canada and of Justice, as well as senior officials from Public Safety Canada, the Department of Justice, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police participated in the dialogue with the members.

Discussion: The meeting's theme focused on countering violent extremism. Members were provided with a debrief on the October 2014 events in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa, and the Government’s response. Overviews were given on the proposed changes to the CSIS Act (Bill C-44), the RCMP’s work on preventing and countering violent extremism, and Public Safety’s engagement work on building resilience in communities.

Members agreed that there is a need to focus on prevention and early intervention, to work with families, youth, and schools, and to include girls and women in this process. Members thought that the Department of Public Safety’s current outreach model was effective, and the use of stories to create dialogue should be continued. There were concerns raised about social media, internet, and news reports, and their effect on the radicalization of youth.

Date modified:

2018-02-06