Community Based Multi-Faceted Response to the Terrorist Threat in Canada (From Understanding and Responding to the Terrorism Phenomenon: A Multi-Dimensional Perspective, P 313-325, 2007, Ozgur Nikbay and Suleyman Hancerli, eds. -- See NCJ-225118)

• NCJ Number: 225144
• Author(s): Wayne Hanniman
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: IOS Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

This paper describes Canada’s multifaceted response to the terrorist threat as a model for other countries to follow in providing national security while also respecting human rights and civil liberties, as well as maintaining respectful and cooperative relations with minority communities.

Abstract

The author focuses on Canada’s Federal terrorism prevention measures adopted after the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington in 2001. The content of the Federal Government’s policy response is found in “Securing an Open Society: Canada’s National Security Policy” and legislation such as the Anti-Terrorism Act of December 2002. These policies and legislation provide the framework for countering the terrorism threat and clarify the mandate and strategic priorities of the agencies responsible for Canada’s national security. Policies for resource allocation have been modified to increase investigative capacity and enforcement resources, along with investigation and analytical support and Internet data-mining skills and capabilities. An Integrated Threat Assessment Centre was established in order to ensure that all threat-related information is centralized, assessed, and disseminated to all who need it in a timely and effective manner. A National Security Advisory Council composed of security experts external to government, along with an advisory Cross-Cultural Roundtable on Security that is composed of members of Canada’s ethno-cultural and religious communities provide input on the goals and impacts of the antiterrorism measures. A major section of this paper addresses the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Response to Terrorism. Among the RCMP programs and resources mentioned are an analytical threat-measurement technique for strategic intelligence analysis; the National Security Community Outreach Program, which was created to respond to issues raised by minority communities under the Nation’s counterterrorism policies; and efforts by the RCMP to prevent radicalization in minority communities, particularly among youth in Muslim/Arab populations. Recommendations address governments, law enforcement agencies, and future research. 17 references