Peter MacKay on radicalization in Alberta: “It is absolutely serious”

Canada Justice Minister and Attorney General Peter MacKay is pointing to the government’s anti-terror legislation as one of the main weapons against radicalization of vulnerable Canadians to terrorist groups, including Alberta.

There have been multiple examples of the problem in the province, from some youth heading overseas to fight with ISIS, to Edmonton’s police chief telling the National Post that terrorists, such as Parliament Hill shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, are financing themselves by working in the oil and gas sector before carrying out attacks.

Speaking in Calgary Thursday, MacKay said it’s a critical problem.

“It is absolutely serious, it’s not theoretical, we know that it’s happening,” he said. “We are taking steps to curtail that activity to the greatest extent possible, to do so within the Canadian law, to do so respecting the reality that this, in some cases, comes from beyond our borders.”

MacKay then discussed the government’s new anti-terror legislation, which gives the Canadian Security Intelligence Service new powers to disrupt terror plots, as well as lengthen how long suspects can be held for possible terror plots.

But it has also come under criticism as CSIS will not have to obtain further intelligence from agencies before responding a potential threat, with opponents saying it could lead to abuse of powers and infringe on people’s rights.

MacKay defended the bill, saying there will be plenty of civilian, judicial and parliamentary oversight.

“It is designed entirely, not to provide police with unchecked powers or resources, but to do so in a way that’s balanced, respectful of rights, including privacy rights, but giving our law enforcement, our security, enforcement agencies the ability to do their work effectively,” he said.

The minister was also asked how he would respond to a Calgary mother – whose son joined an Al-Qaeda linked group and died in Syria – who has opposed the legislation saying it’s ineffective and could further spite vulnerable Canadians, pushing them to terrorist groups

MacKay said his heart goes out to that family, but the legislation is just one part of the solution.

“It’s going to require public outreach on the part of security agencies to build trust and confidence, it’s going to involve a great deal of further education I would suggest and engaging cultural groups, leaders within various cultural communities,” he said. “That’s what I would tell the family, it’s not a short, simple answer, it’s going to require a very engaged and sustained effort.”