Terrorism and violent extremism
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The Government of Canada uses the terms "terrorism" and "violent extremism" interchangeably from a policy perspective. However, from a criminal law perspective, only "terrorist activity" (terrorism) is currently defined under the Criminal Code. It is defined as an act or omission committed:
- In whole or in part for a political, religious or ideological purpose, objective or cause
- With the intention of intimidating the public or segment thereof, with regard to its security, or to compel a government to do something or refrain from doing something
- With intent to cause serious violence to persons, property, critical infrastructure, or essential systems
Terrorist activity also includes preparatory offences in relation to this type of activity, such as attempts, counselling, threats, conspiracy, and being an accessory after the fact.
Types of terrorism and violent extremism
The Government of Canada categorizes violent extremism and terrorism into three categories:
- Religiously Motivated Violent Extremism
- Politically Motivated Violent Extremism
- Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism
Visit the Government of Canada webpage to learn more about each type of extremism, as well as the threats to Canada's National Security.
Our role
The RCMP's national security investigative teams, known as Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams and National Security Enforcement Sections, are responsible for conducting criminal investigations into terrorism and violent extremism.
- Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams
- Integrated investigative units where investigators and analysts from the RCMP, federal partners and agencies, and provincial and municipal police services who jointly conduct National Security investigations. These teams are in: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
- National Security Enforcement Sections
- Composed of dedicated RCMP investigators and analysts who conduct National Security criminal investigations and provide specialized expertise. They are in the remaining provinces across the country.
While the Criminal Code definition of terrorist activity forms the basis for all terrorism offences, this definition/threshold does not need to be met for the RCMP to investigate violent extremism or terrorism-related conduct.
The RCMP can pursue a range of criminal offences to disrupt terrorist and violent extremist threat activity.
Terrorism charges under the Criminal Code
The most common charges in cases of terrorism and violent extremism are laid out in Part II.1 of the Criminal Code and include:
- Participation and facilitation
- Financial and property-related offences
- Harbouring and concealing
Did you know?
When a person has knowingly committed a terrorist offence in another country, it is within the RCMP's mandate to investigate and pursue criminal charges.
Terrorist listing regime
Public Safety Canada leads the terrorist listing process. Listing is also an important tool that supports criminal investigations and strengthens the RCMP's ability to prevent and disrupt terrorist activity. Visit the Public Safety website to learn more about listings.
Recognizance - fear of terrorism offence (commonly known as Terrorism Peace Bonds)
If there are reasonable grounds to fear that a person might engage in terrorism-related activity before a charge or conviction is laid, law enforcement can apply for a Terrorism Peace Bond (s.810.011 of the Criminal Code).
As court determines the specific conditions to be imposed in a Terrorism Peace Bond, it could include specific conditions to prevent potential terrorist activity, which could comprise:
- Limiting travel
- Passport surrender
- Participating in counselling/treatment
- Restricting internet and electronic communications
- Electronic monitoring
- Prohibited contact with certain people
These conditions allow for police to maintain public safety while possible threats are detected and investigations may continue.
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