The Past And Present State Of Terrorism In Canada Essay, Research Paper

Reactionary Policies In the Wake of Terrorism

Internal Affairs and Canada’s previous position on terrorism

A terrorist Tunnel: Issues concerning Canada’s borders and the present threat of International terrorism

Preface

From the FLQ (Front de Liberation du Quebec) crisis to the recent acts of terrorism by Singh Rayet and the Tiger group, terrorism has found a place in Canadian society.

Because of this, in the last 50 years, Canada has developed several reactionary policies, and control/Prevention mechanisms to deal with terrorism, including Trudeau’s enforcement of the War Measures Act during “Black October” in reaction to internal terrorism, to the more recent development of the CSIS Act (Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act) to deal with the growing threat of International terrorism to Canada.

Terrorism is a concern that should be agknoledged by Canadians, for it is resting on our front door step, even in Vancouver.

Internal Affairs and Canada’s previous position on Terrorism

In 1969 FLQ terrorists engaged in kidnapping, bombing, and murder, including the murder of the Quebec Labour Minister Pierre La Porte. The Canadian Government, led by the new Priminister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, responded with the enforcement of the War Measures Act, mass arrests, and had sent the army into Montreal. This incident was known as “Black October” or the “October Crisis”. The Candian troops were able to put an end to the FLQ crisis, However, the Quebec separatists are still active to this day, fighting for Quebec independence from Canada.

From this incident we can observe how Canada has no tolleration for terrorism, and is willing to go to great lengths to stop acts of serious violence.

Paul Rose, the leader of the “Chenier Cell” of the FLQ was arrested for the murder and kidnapping of Pierre Laporte, who was found killed and locked in a trunk on October 17th 1970. Trudeau responded with the immediate enactment of the War Measures Act, which allowed the Fed Gov to rule over all areas of Canada. Under the Act, anyone in relation or suspicoin of being related to the FLQ could be arrested withou a warrant, and without being officailly charged.

This action on the part of Trudeau caused much controversy, and had ripples even as far as Vancouver, where the freedom of individuals was temporarily evoked.

Canada did not joke around with the terrorist threat of the FLQ, and from that incident developed further policies on prevention of terrorism, which are in affect to this day.

The question on the definition of terrorsim completely depends on the viewpoints of the observer, “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”,however; Canada’s 1st concern is to the act of seroius violence, not to the nature of the cause, and it is clear that Canada has no toleration for such acts. —Phillip Dawid

A Terrorist Tunnel: Issues concerning Canada’s Borders and the threat of International Terrorism

In the last few years Canada has become highly involved with the treat of international terrorism, and has also become a hide out for international terrorists ploting against other states around the globe.

Since the FLQ crisis, Canada has had to modify their policies and procedure on terrorism. The result of international terrorism in Canada was the CSIC Act, and the establishment of the Canadien Security Intelligence Service. The CSIS must investigate activities directed towards the use of acts of serioius violence against persons or property for the purpose of achieving political objetive in Canada or any other foreign state.They look for terrorism found in support or in the name of independence, freedom, or religious belief.

At the moment Canada is facing a real threat from terrorism involved with multicultural pride and homeland conflicts. Another concern is with the presence of neo-nazi “survivalist” groups, which are present in British Columbia.

Canada has recently found itself to be a resting ground for terrorist’s from all over the world, including Iran, Africa, and India. On the most part these fanatical terrorists target states outside of Canada, but use Canadian pass-ports to travel freely under false identification to their chosen target areas. This has become of great concern for the CSIS who are currently in the processes of developing new policies and methods to combat these acts of international terrorism plotted inside Canadian borders. The threat to Canada from international terrorism is a prevalent and potentially serious concern.