Working Against Terrorism

The threat to public safety from international terrorism imported into Canada has long been a major concern for CSIS. Ever since the end of the Cold War in the 1980s, CSIS has focussed its efforts on counter-terrorism activities and currently devotes a significant part of its operational resources toward these activities. Public safety—the protection of Canadian lives—is the top priority of CSIS.

CSIS has developed new techniques and approaches within its Counter-Terrorism Program to help ensure that Canada does not become a focus of terrorist activity. The objectives of this program are to

• safeguard the public against a terrorist attack in Canada;



• prevent terrorist attacks from originating in Canada;



• prevent fundraising in Canada by terrorist organizations; and



• prevent the targeting of Canadians and Canadian interests abroad. 

Learn more about how CSIS helps to improve public safety.

On the wider front, Canada, along with other Western democracies, has introduced anti-terrorist legislation. Canada’s Anti-terrorism Act (Bill C-36) has created measures to identify, deter, disable and prosecute those engaged in terrorist activities or supporting these activities. The legislation makes it an offence to knowingly support terrorist organizations, whether through overt support, or by providing material support through documentation, shelter or funds. The Anti-terrorism Act requires the publication of a list of groups deemed to constitute a threat to the security of Canada and Canadians.

The passage of the Anti-terrorism Act demonstrates Canada’s support of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1373, adopted on September 28, 2001, to counter international terrorism. The Act is an indispensable tool to Canada’s intelligence and law enforcement services in their effort to protect Canadians.

Date modified: 2005-11-14

Important Notices