Countering Radicalization to Violence
Classification: Unclassified
Branch/Agency: PACB/Canada Centre
Proposed Response:
- The Government takes seriously all forms of violent extremism.
- Investigating, arresting, charging and prosecuting any Canadian involved in terrorism or violent extremism is our priority and Canadians can be confident that law enforcement and security intelligence agencies respond to all groups that threaten public safety, regardless of their ideology.
- In December 2018, the Government released Canada’s first National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence, lead by the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence.
- The strategy prioritizes three lines of effort: building a knowledge base, addressing radicalization to violence in the online space, and supporting direct interventions to individuals at risk. Consistent with this approach, 30 project agreements have been put in place under the Community Resilience Fund, representing over $21 million investments.
- Canada recently added two ideologically motivated violent extremist groups to its terrorist listing: Blood & Honour and its armed wing, Combat 18.
- Canada is working with our national and international partners to build national and international coordination against violent extremism.
- Canada has quadrupled the security infrastructure program to help religious and cultural organizations protect themselves, and is funding critical research and programs that address violent extremism.
Background:
The Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre) leads the Government of Canada’s efforts to counter radicalization to violence in all its forms.
On December 11, 2018, the Canada Centre launched the National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence. Its three priorities are: (1) building, sharing and using knowledge; (2) addressing radicalization in the online space; and (3) supporting interventions.In February 2019, the Government announced the launch of a National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence, which works to advance the work of the Canada Centre.
Violent extremists can be motivated by a range of grievances and can draw from a selection of ideas from across ideological, religious and political spectrums. Generally, these individuals act without clear group affiliation or external guidance, and are often radicalized online.
Violent extremism in Canada has been sporadic and opportunistic. Examples include the 2017 shooting at the Islamist Cultural Centre of Quebec City, in which six Canadians were killed and 19 were injured, and the 2018 van attack in Toronto, which killed 10.
Recent international examples of violent extremism include the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Oct 2019 in Pittsburg that killed 11 individuals and the March 2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, that killed over 50 people.
Community Resilience Fund (CRF)
Through the CRF, Public Safety supports research and programming to build the evidence base along with local capability and capacity to counter radicalization to violence in Canada. This aligns with your mandate letter, in which you are asked to continue supporting the work of the Canada Centre and investing in front-line programs that work to counter violent extremism. As of February 11, 2020, 30 project agreements have been signed, representing a total investment of $21,628,867.
For example, the Boston Children’s Hospital received CRF funding to collaboration with McGill University to study how social connections can play a role in building resilience towards violent extremism. Another example is a project by MediaSmarts, which received funding to examine the attitudes of young Canadians towards online hate speech and violent radicalization.
Violent Extremist and Terrorist Use of the Internet
The Canada Centre also leads the Government of Canada’s efforts to counter violent extremist and terrorist use of the internet (VETUI). Domestically, the Canada Centre supports organizations through the CRF who are working to better understand VETUI. For example, the Canada Centre is providing up to $1 million to Tech Against Terrorism to support the development of a repository of terrorist content, which will provide smaller technology companies a consolidated library of existing terrorist content online, allowing them to identify and remove it.
The Canada Centre also works closely with international partners and in international forums to counter VETUI. For example, Canada was an original signatory of the Christchurch Call to Action, developed in response to the Christchurch terrorist attack, and outlines voluntary commitments for government and digital industry to address VETUI. The Canada Centre also participates in the Five Country Ministerial, the G7, G20 and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism.
Terrorist Listings
The Criminal Code sets out a terrorist listing regime to help prevent the use of Canada’s financial system to further terrorist activity, and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences. Listing an entity carries significant consequences. Banks and financial institutions must freeze all the assets of a listed terrorist entity. Listing prohibits all persons in Canada, as well as Canadians abroad, from knowingly dealing with such assets.
In June 2019, Canada listed two ideologically motivated violent extremist groups as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. Blood & Honour is an international neo-Nazi network which, through its armed branch Combat 18, has carried out violence, including murders and bombings.
Contacts:
Approved by: Mark Potter, A/ADM, PACB and 613-998-2936
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