Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 79 HOW POLICE CAN STOP A TERRORIST IN CANADA www.calgaryherald.com For decades, police have occasionally made themselves known to groups they’re investigating, in the hopes of scaring off the less-dedicated members. Since anti-terrorism Bill C-51 became law in June, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) agents have been also able to disrupt threats, even with more drastic actions that break the law. For over a decade, the immigration minister has been able to suspend passports based on a reasonable belief a citizen might go abroad to commit a crime, including terrorism. As part of this year’s budget bill, the government lowered the proof needed for revocation. The RCMP has also started charging suspected terrorists with passport fraud for minor violations, instead of pursuing charges that require more proof. Some Canadians have managed to join terror groups abroad despite not having a valid passport. When police believe a terrorist act is imminent, they can ask a judge for a peace bond, similar to a probation order. Under threat of arrest, people can be given a tracking bracelet, or forbidden from using the Internet and communicating with terror groups. Police tried to get a peace bond last summer for Martin Couture-Rouleau, but they didn’t have enough proof. Months later, he killed a soldier in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.. Bill C-51 makes it easier for police to undertake preventative arrests as they gather evidence for charges or a peace bond. Bill C-24, the Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, came into effect in late May. The government can now revoke Canadian citizenship from people eligible for foreign citizenship (even if they were born in Canada) if they are convicted of serious crimes like terrorism, including in foreign courts. Dubbed the Passenger Protect Program, the government has run a no-fly list since 2007. People are only notified they’re on the list in certain cases. While they can appeal the decision, they rarely learn why they’re on the list. Months after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Liberal government passed the first AntiTerrorism Act. Dozens of people have since been charged with attempting attacks at home. Last July, Mohamed Hersi was the first person convicted under the 2001 act for trying to join a terrorist group, facing 10 years for attempting to join al-Shabab in Somalia. Under Bill C-51, Canadians spreading terrorist propaganda can face up to five years in jail, and a judge can order such material to be deleted from Canadian computers. Dylan Robertson, Calgary Herald Published on: September 30, 2015 Canadian police who suspect someone is involved in terrorism have a variety of tools at their disposal: DISRUPTION PASSPORT SEIZURE PEACE BONDS CITIZENSHIP REVOCATION NO FLY LIST TERRORISM CHARGES PROPAGANDA
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