The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has noted a surge in extremist activities across the country, despite keeping the terror threat level at ‘medium’.
Despite numerous attacks and foiled plots, the CSIS has decided to maintain the threat level at its current position.
Last Thursday, CSIS Director Daniel Rogers gave his approval for this decision, according to an agency spokesperson.
In spite of the evolving threat landscape over the last decade and the recent increase, CSIS states that the risk of a successful attack has not significantly increased.
This statement was released by CSIS in response to a Global News report on the increasing number of terrorism-related arrests across Canada, many of which are linked to ISIS.
In the past six months, the RCMP has thwarted two ISIS-related attacks as well as bomb plots in Calgary and Ottawa in 2023.
During this period, Jewish institutions have been targeted and there has been public support for groups such as Hamas.
The National Terrorism Threat Level guides the necessary responses to prevent attacks. The Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre (ITAC) of the government recommends it.
The CSIS and ITAC have noticed a worrisome increase in extremist rhetoric and activities based on ideology, politics, and religion. However, they believe that the government has efficiently managed these threats and disrupted violent plans effectively.
According to CSIS spokesperson Lindsay Sloane, Canadian authorities have become more adept at using terrorism charges and peace bonds to prevent attacks, contributing to the maintenance of the national threat level at medium.
A medium threat level indicates that an attack could happen, while a high level suggests an attack is likely, and a critical level signifies an attack is highly likely. Canada has not altered its threat level for over a decade and has not published a public threat report since 2018. During this period, however, several attacks have occurred. These include an ISIS-orchestrated mass shooting at a Mississauga restaurant in 2021 and a truck attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario. Canadian authorities have also experienced attacks from individuals with anti-government beliefs.
Despite this, CSIS believes that the increase in terrorism charges doesn’t necessarily indicate a rising threat in Canada. New classifications of far-right groups as terrorist organizations are now being included in the data, which were not reflected in previous data.
A former CSIS officer, Andrew Kirsch, believes the medium threat level is reasonable and requires ongoing vigilance. However, he questions whether the government has sufficient resources to handle all high-priority threats, particularly with the focus on foreign interference and impending elections.
Former CSIS analyst Phil Gurski is concerned that CSIS may be understating the threat posed by groups like ISIS due to government pressure. He noted that France elevated its threat level to the highest last year. The UK’s threat level is substantial, Australia’s is probable, and New Zealand’s is low. The US uses a National Terrorism Advisory System that offers alerts for specific, credible threats. They currently have no advisories despite a recent ISIS supporter’s truck attack in New Orleans that claimed 14 lives.
In conclusion, while Canada is experiencing an increase in extremism, the authorities believe they are effectively managing the threats and have kept the national threat level at medium.
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