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Terrorism
Canada believes that terrorism is a long-term global challenge that demands a consistent and comprehensive coordinated international response based upon agreed common goals, norms, standards, values and institutions. Canada is an active participant in the global fight against terrorism.
Securing an Open Society: Canada's National Security Policy released in April 2004 defines three key Canadian national security interests: protecting Canada and the safety and security of Canadians at home and abroad; ensuring that Canada is not a base for threats to our allies; and contributing to international security. Foreign Affairs Canada's counter-terrorism activities contribute to meeting all three of these national goals. See http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/docs/Publications/NatSecurnat/natsecurnat_e.pdf.
Effective global consensus and cooperation is required to prevent and prosecute terrorist crimes. Otherwise, terrorists will continue to exploit vulnerabilities in some countries to conduct their attacks in or against others. While there is a military component to counter-terrorism, it cannot be the principal or defining element of the international effort. The fight against terrorism must be a multi-pronged effort including diplomacy, intelligence, security and law enforcement, customs and immigration, transportation, justice and finance expertise. All these branches of government must work together to identify and arrest terrorists; to disrupt and prevent their operations; to protect and defend people, societies, and economies from terrorist attack; and to mitigate the consequences of any such attack.
Canada's International Policy Statement released in April 2005 highlights that within the broader context of the Government's counterterrorism strategy, Foreign Affairs makes a unique contribution. The first line of defence in countering terrorist recruitment is the promotion of accountable, democratic governments that respect human rights, allow for peaceful dissent, take action to fulfill the aspirations of their people, and respect diversity. The promotion of human rights and democracy remains a core responsibility for the Department of Foreign Affairs. See Canada's International Policy Statement.
All of our domestic and international efforts must support good governance and be grounded in the rule of law. Measures taken to counter terrorism must be in accordance with international law, in particular human rights, humanitarian and refugee law.
Since countering terrorism requires effective international cooperation and coordination, Canada works in various international, regional and functional fora such as the United Nations, G8, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organization of American States (OAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to develop legal instruments, best practices and international standards to combat terrorism. These include the thirteen UN-sponsored terrorism-related international conventions and protocols which address specific terrorist acts such as hostage taking, hijacking, terrorist bombings, and terrorist financing.
Canada's security is inextricably linked to that of other states. When other states lack the resources or expertise to prevent and respond to terrorist activity, the security of Canadians and Canadian interests, at home and abroad, is at risk. Counter-terrorism capacity building (CTCB) assistance is the provision of training, funding, equipment, technical and legal assistance to other states to enable them to prevent and respond to terrorist activity in a manner consistent with international counter-terrorism and human rights norms, standards and obligations. To learn more about capacity building and Canada's counter-terrorism capacity building program.
Coordinated by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada's National Exercise Division, the government regularly organizes national and international counter-terrorism exercises involving multiple departments and agencies. These exercises focus on intergovernmental coordination and cooperation and address both crisis and consequence management. To learn more about Canada's National Exercise Program.
As technology improves and trading and financial systems become more integrated, the ability of terrorists to collect and move funds between jurisdictions complicates the tasks of tracing and confiscating their assets. Through the provisions in the Criminal Code, the United Nations Afghanistan Regulations (UNAR) and the United Nations Suppression of Terrorism Regulations (UNSTR), Canada has put in place strict measures to identify terrorist entities (both organizations and individuals) and to freeze their assets in Canada. To learn more about Terrorism Financing.
Our efforts to keep Canadians safer also extends to the transportation sector. Canada has been active in the elaboration of new aviation, land and marine transportation security standards and initiatives. To learn more about Counter-terrorism and transportation.
Links to other federal departments and agencies:
Other websites of interest
International, regional and functional fora:
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