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Terrorism and mass attacks in Canada includesacts of terrorism, as well asmass shootings,vehicle-ramming attacks,mass stabbings, and other such acts committed inCanada that people may associate with terroristic tactics but have not been classified as terrorism by the Canadian legal system. (For example, the2018 Toronto shooting was a mass shooting that law enforcement officials did not connect to terrorism.)[1]
TheCriminal Code of Canada defines terrorist activity to include an "act oromission undertaken, in or outside Canada, for a political, religious or ideological purpose, that is intended to intimidate the public with regard to its security, including its economic security, or to compel a person, government or organization (whether in or outside Canada) to do or refrain from doing any act, and that intentionally causes one of a number of specific forms of serious harm."[1] As such, some of the terrorist acts listed here are related to external events and nationalities, while others, such as theFLQ crisis in 1970, are related to internal tensions within the country.
Matters relevant to overallcounterterrorism in Canada, as well asnational security within the federal government, fall under the jurisdiction of theMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, who headsPublic Safety Canada (PSC).[2] Two other ministers with particularly crucial roles with respect to counter-terrorism are theMinisters of Foreign Affairs andof National Defence.[3]
The Canadian government uses theNational Terrorism Threat Level (NTTL) to identify the probability of terrorism occurring in Canada. As of 22 May 2021[update], Canada's current threat level is "Medium," which means that a "violent act of terrorism could occur;" it has been at this level since October 2014.[1][4]
Overall issues of national security fall under the jurisdiction of theMinister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, who headsPublic Safety Canada (PSC).[2] While provincial and territorial governments are responsible for general law enforcement and criminal prosecutions, theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police (part of the PSC portfolio) is given primary responsibility, under theSecurity Offences Act (SOA), for the investigation of offences involving national security.[3]
Canadian federalstatutes establish a legal regime that prosecutes terrorists for their activities.[3][5] ThePublic Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC), under theAttorney General of Canada, prosecutes offenses on behalf of the Canadian government, including those involving national security such as terrorist activities.[3] If a person carries out a terrorist attack or instructs someone else to carry out a terrorist attack, they are given alife sentence. Anyone who facilitates a terrorist attack is liable to imprisonment for no more than 10 years.[6]
TheCriminal Code definesterrorist activity to include an "act or omission undertaken, in or outside Canada, for a political, religious or ideological purpose, that is intended to intimidate the public with regard to its security, including its economic security, or to compel a person, government or organization (whether in or outside Canada) to do or refrain from doing any act, and that intentionally causes one of a number of specific forms of serious harm."[1]
TheCombating Terrorism Act, which came into force in July 2013, renewed parts of the Criminal Code by creating four new offences intended to prevent and deter individuals from leaving Canada for particular terrorism-related purposes.[1]
Canada'sAnti-Terrorism Act (ATA) "provides measures for the Government of Canada to create a list of entities that: have knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity" or "knowingly acted on behalf of, at the direction of or in association with an entity that has knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity."[7] The Act specifically provides that "for theGovernor in Council to establish by regulation a list on which, on the recommendation of the Minister of Public Safety, any entity may be placed."[7] The ATA replaced theOfficial Secrets Act with theSecurity of Information Act (SOIA), which focuses on "conduct harmful to, or likely to harm Canada." It also defined the concept of "harm to Canadian interests" to address a broad range of potential harms, including terrorist activity, interference withcritical infrastructure, and the development ofweapons of mass destruction incontravention of international law.[3]
Terrorist financing, on the other hand, is addressed through theProceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, as well as theIncome Tax Act and theCharities Registration (Security Information) Act. In terms of the cross-border movement of potential threats, assessing the admissibility of those applying fortemporary orpermanent residence, orrefugee status is facilitated under theImmigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).[3]
TheDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Act provides theMinister of Foreign Affairs with responsibility over all matters relating to the conduct ofCanada's external affairs, including counteringinternational terrorism and responding to terrorist incidents abroad.[3] Moreover, the Government of Canada listsstate supporters of terrorism under theState Immunity Act, which (like theJVTA) revokes certainlegal immunities from listed countries, allowingcivil suits to be filed against those countries in Canadian courts for loss or damage resulting from its involvement in terrorism anywhere in the world. In 2012, bothSyria andIran were listed.[1]
In terms ofemergency response, leadership of the Public Safety Minister is granted by theEmergency Management Act.[3]
TheJustice for Victims of Terrorism Act (JVTA) allows Canada's victims of terrorism to sue perpetrators and those that support them for loss or damage that occurred as a result of an act of terrorism committed in Canada or abroad.[8] Similar to the JVTA, amendments made to theState Immunity Act, allow for countries listed by the federal government as state supporters of terrorism to besued in Canadian courts for loss or damage resulting from its involvement in terrorism anywhere in the world.[1][8]
On 1 May 2006, the Government of Canada announced the launch of a fullpublic inquiry into theAir India Flight 182 bombing and its investigation. Initiated later in June, the inquiry was to look into the ways in whichCanadian law restricted fundingterrorist groups, how wellwitness protection is provided in terrorist cases, if Canada needs to upgrade itsairport security, and if issues of co-operation between the RCMP, CSIS, and other law enforcement agencies had been resolved. It was to also provide a forum wherein families of the victims could testify on the impact of the bombing and would not repeat any criminal trials.[9]
From 1 December 2011 to 31 July 2012, families of the passengers and crew who died on Air India Flight 182 on 23 June 1985 have been offered a one-timeex gratia payment by Canadian government, as "a demonstration of solicitude and recognition for the administrative disdain families experienced in the years following" the tragedy. Payments have been made to eligible applicants for 275 victims.[10] Moreover, every June 23, some Canadians observeNational Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism to honour the victims.
In terms of emergency response, leadership of the Minister of Public Safety is granted by theEmergency Management Act. The chief means through which the Public Safety Minister facilitates their emergency response is through theGovernment Operations Centre (GOC). The GOC, on behalf of the federal government, supports response coordination across the government and others.[3]
In practice, the immediate response to terrorist incidents in Canada is to be led by local law enforcement and emergency management authorities. This involves the RCMP as being the first police responder in those provinces and territories where it provides local police services. Particular terrorist incidents may involve specific responses from designated agencies; for instance, under theNational Defence Act or through theCrown Prerogative, theCanadian Armed Forces can be called upon to respond directly to terrorist incidents in Canada. As such, the Minister of National Defence plays a key role in preparation for, and execution of, any deployment of Canadian Forces in response to terrorist activity domestically or abroad.[3]
Immediately following the 2001September 11 attacks in the United States, the RCMP initiatedProject Shock which sought to quickly collect and act on any information or intel related to possible threats posed byMuslims in Canada.[11]Project Thread was a police operation in 2003 that resulted in the arrest of 24 immigrants in theGreater Toronto Area amidst allegations that they formed a threat to national security, and maintained "suspected ties toal-Qaeda."[12][13]
Matters relevant to overallcounter-terrorism in Canada, as well asnational security within the federal government, fall under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, who heads Public Safety Canada (PSC).[2] Two other ministers with particularly crucial roles with respect to counter-terrorism are the Ministers of Foreign Affairs andof National Defence.[3] Additionally, theNational Security Advisor (NSA) is responsible for providing information, advice, and recommendations on security and intelligence to the Prime Minister; co-ordinating the security and intelligence community; and overseeing intelligence assessment.[3]
Claiming that the safety and security ofCanadians to be its first priority, theGovernment of Canada puts significant attention towards itscounterterrorism efforts.[14]"Building Resilience Against Terrorism" (2013)[3] is Canada's first counterterrorism strategy, which aims to counterdomestic and international terrorism so to protect Canada, Canadians, and Canadianinterests. The strategy "assesses the nature and scale of the threat, and "sets out basic principles and elements that underpin the Government's counter-terrorism activities."[14]
The Canadian government uses theNational Terrorism Threat Level (NTTL) to identify the probability of terrorism occurring in Canada. As of 22 May 2021[update], Canada's current threat level is "Medium," which means that a "violent act of terrorism could occur;" it has been at this level since October 2014.[4][1] More specifically, this means that "extremist groups and individuals located in Canada and abroad, have both the intent AND capability to carry out an act of terrorism in Canada."[1]
Federal government organizations that have a hand in counterterrorism in Canada include:[3]
In terms of broader counterterrorism intelligence, other federal organizations also collect information in support of their primary responsibilities; this includes:[3]
TheCanadian Security Intelligence Service, part of Public Safety Canada, is Canada's primary nationalintelligence agency. Among other things, CSIS compiles the information they collect themselves with information from other sources to provideParliament with intelligence assessments on terrorist threats. The National Security Advisor (NSA) is responsible for providing information, advice, and recommendations on security and intelligence to the Prime Minister; co-ordinating the security and intelligence community; and overseeing intelligence assessment.[3]
TheIntegrated Terrorism Assessment Centre (ITAC) is a cooperative initiative, housed at CSIS, to facilitateintelligence information sharing and analysis within the Canadianintelligence community and tofirst responders, such aslaw enforcement. Its assessments integrate intelligence from across departments and agencies as well as from external partners. Similarly, the RCMP'sIntegrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs) bring together federal, provincial, and municipal police and intelligence resources "to collect, share, and analyze information in support of criminal investigations and threat assessments."[3]
TheCommunications Security Establishment, administered under theDepartment of National Defence (DND), is responsible for foreignsignals intelligence (SIGINT) and protecting governmentelectronic communication networks.[3]
ThePrivy Council Office's Security and Intelligence Secretariat provides policy support to the NSA, the Prime Minister, and theClerk of the Privy Council, as well as coordinating committees on security and intelligence issues. The PCO's International Assessment Staff (PCO IAS) helps to coordinate "the efforts of the Canadian assessment community and provides PCO and other senior government clients with policy-neutral assessments of foreign developments and trends that may affect Canadian interests."[3]
Terrorist financing in Canada is addressed through theProceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA), as well as theIncome Tax Act and theCharities Registration (Security Information) Act, which are administered by theDepartment of Finance.[3]
In accordance with thePCMLTFA, theFinancial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre works to prevent and deter terrorist financing. Likewise, theCharities Directorate of theCanada Revenue Agency reviews applications, conductsaudits, and collects and analyzes multi-source intelligence in order to detect and address risks to Canada'scharitable sector. These operations are in accordance with theIncome Tax Act, theCharities Registration (Security Information) Act, and thePCMLTFA.[3]
The Finance Department also leads the Canadian effort in related international activities, particularly regarding the work of theFinancial Action Task Force (FATF).[3]
Measures taken in regards to cross-border movement of potential threats are facilitated under theImmigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), primarily by theCanada Border Services Agency (CBSA) andImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).[3]
The CBSA, which is a part of Public Safety Canada, has an "Immigration Security Screening" program, which can "detect the movement of potential subjects of interest as they apply for temporary or permanent residence, or refugee status," as perIRPA. CBSA also monitors the cross-border flow of currency, and has the authority to seize "unreported currency flows suspected of being the proceeds of crime or related to terrorist financing."[3]
UnderIRPA, the Canadian government usessecurity certificates to detain anddeportforeign nationals and all other non-citizens living in Canada. The certificate can be issued towards a permanent resident or any other non-citizen perceived to be a threat to national security, as well as those suspected of violating human rights or of having membership within organized crime.[16][17]
The security oftransportation systems are primarily facilitated byTransport Canada, which is the lead department for responding to transportation security incidents and for transportation-relatedemergency preparedness. This includes the security ofaviation, marine, rail, road, andintermodal transportation security systems. Transport Canada's responsibilities are granted through several key federal statutes, such as theAeronautics Act, theMarine Transportation Security Act, theRailway Safety Act, theInternational Bridges and Tunnels Act and theTransportation of Dangerous Goods Act.[3]
Public Safety Canada and Transport Canada jointly oversee the Canadianno-fly list, called thePassenger Protect program, which identifies individuals who may pose a threat to aviation security and "reduces their ability to cause harm or threaten aviation by taking action, such as preventing them from boarding an aircraft." Additional security is provided through passenger andbaggage screening, which is conducted by Transport Canada'sCanadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).[3]
TheCombating Terrorism Act, which came into force in July 2013, was put in place with the intent to prevent and deter individuals from leaving Canada for particular terrorism-related purposes.[1]
TheDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Act provides the Minister of Foreign Affairs with responsibility over all matters relating to the conduct of Canada's external affairs, including countering international terrorism and responding to terrorist incidents abroad.[3] As such, the Foreign Affairs Minister leads Canada's response to terrorist or security-related incidents outside of the country.Global Affairs Canada is accordingly responsible for assessing social, economic, security, and political developments that "help define a global threat environment." Depending on the nature of the incident, the Canadian response can include the provision ofconsular assistance to Canadians overseas (includingexpatriates); financial or physical aid; or deployments of experts from Canada's national security community.[3]
Extraterritorial investigations of terrorist activity are investigated by the RCMP (part of Public Safety Canada) when committed against aCanadian citizen or by a Canadian citizen abroad.[3]
Various federal organizations, particularly the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre; also part of Public Safety Canada), closely collaborate with partners in theFive Eyes (United States,United Kingdom,Australia,New Zealand), theGroup of Seven (G7), and theEuropean Union. The Canada Centre also actively participates inmultilateral forums such as theUnited Nations and theGlobal Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), as well as collaborating with theInstitute for Strategic Dialogue, theHedayah Center, and theCentre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST).[18]
The Canadian government also engages in theGlobal Coalition against Daesh, a partnership of 79 countries that works towards defeatingDaesh through such activities as preventing the flow of foreign terrorist fighters across borders and countering the group's communications.[18]
In terms ofchemical,biological,radiological, andnuclear warfare, the surveillance for diseases and events resulting from the use ofCBRNE agents is the responsibility ofPublic Health Agency of Canada, who is in charge of coordinating a public health response to such a terrorist incident. Monitoring services, hazard assessments, information, and advisories and decontamination strategies are also provided byHealth Canada for CBRNE events. PHAC also maintains theNational Emergency Stockpile System, which containsmedical countermeasures against CBRNE agents and disaster medical supplies for use inmass-casualty incidents.[3]
Moreover, all members of the Canadian Forces are trained in CBRNE defense. TheCanadian Joint Incident Response Unit is a unit under the direction of theCanadian Special Operations Forces Command that is tasked with supporting the federal government in preventing, controlling, and mitigating CBRN threats to Canada, Canadians, and Canadian interests.[3]
Health Canada is also mandated to provide services to support the overall security objectives for major international events (such as the 2010Winter Olympics orG20 summit), specifically in the areas of health and safety of federal government employees, surveillance and response to radiological nuclear threats, and support to first-responders in the event of a CBRNE event or disease outbreak.[3]
The government of Canada has banned more than 52terrorist organizations.[19] These includeAl Qaeda, theArmed Islamic Group,Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA),Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), theInternational Sikh Youth Federation, thePalestinian Liberation Front, thePopular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, thePopular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command,Hamas,Palestinian Islamic Jihad,Hezbollah,[20]Kahane Chai, and theTaliban.[21] In 2019,Combat 18 andBlood & Honour were the firstneo-Nazi groups in Canada to be banned by the government.[22]
In April 2006, the Canadian government designated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a terrorist group.[23] In December that year, the government expanded the federal ban of Hezbollah from the purely militant wing to all 16 sub-organizations.[24]
TheKanishka Project was aCA$10 million, five-year initiative of Public Safety Canada that provided funding to research on terrorism-related matters affecting Canada.[10][25][26]
Announced by the Government of Canada in June 2011, the Project was named after theBoeing 747-237B (EmperorKanishka) plane that was bombed in the Air India Flight 182 attack of 1985.[25][26] It funded nearly 70 projects and contributed to hosting various events related to discussing counter-terrorism.[25] As part of the Project, $3.7 million was invested withSocial Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) towards supporting research and related activities that addressed the issues identified by the Kanishka Project.[27]
TheCanadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security and Society (TSAS), located at theUniversity of Waterloo, is an academicresearch network purposed to form "multidisciplinary research on terrorist radicalization" and "the coordinated interaction of academic researchers with government officials." It was created in 2012 with funding both the Kanishka Project and a grant from the SSHRC.[26][28] TSAS' co-directors areLorne Dawson and Veronica Kitchen.[28]
TheConstitution of Canada, through theCharter of Rights and Freedoms, protects thefreedom of thought,belief,opinion, andexpression of Canadians. As a result, having radical ideals is not considered to be illegal in Canada.[18]
In terms of radicalization to violence, various federal and provincial/territorial government initiatives have been established, particularly under Public Safety Canada on the federal level. Particularly, the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre) leads the Canadian government's efforts to "counterradicalization to violence." It does not manage or advise on individual cases, but rather addresses the issue in terms of broad strategy.[29] The Centre was mandated in 2015; thefederal budget the following year allocated $35 million over five years to establish and support the Centre, in addition to $10 million per year on-going.[18] The Canada Centre also leads the Canadian government's engagement and cooperation with theGlobal Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), established byGoogle,Facebook,Twitter, andMicrosoft in 2017.[18]
On 11 December 2018, the Canada Centre launched the "National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence," which is meant to "explain[] radicalization to violence and the destructive and harmful behaviours involved," as well as outlining the federal government's "approach and key priorities in countering and preventing radicalization to violence." Implementation of the National Strategy is supervised by the National Expert Committee on Countering Radicalization to Violence.[18]
The Community Resilience Fund (CRF) is a system, administered by the Canada Centre, for supporting "partnerships in countering radicalization to violence in Canada," providing funding to organizations towards engagement (e.g., research, cooperation, engaging communities, etc.) with the issue.[30] As of 2019‑2020 onward, the Fund has been promised $7 million available each year for existing and new projects. Through CRF, the Canada Centre has supported theCentre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence, located inMontréal, in conducting research on "better understanding risk and protective factors within families of individuals who radicalize to violence and also the role families and communities can play in mitigating radicalization to violence." Also through the Fund, the Canada Centre has supported "multi-agency intervention programs to build capacity to manage cases of individuals who are radicalizing to violence."[18]
A number of government departments deliver "social programming that contribute" to supporting approaches "to preventing radicalization to violence". Such federal departments include:[18]
Local government/non-profit initiatives funded by the Community Resilience Fund include:[18][31]
| Date | Location | Details | Alleged motive | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 17, 1840 | Queenston, ON | Benjamin Lett, anAnglo-Irish-Canadianfilibusterer, bombs theBrock's Monument, which honouredBritish general SirIsaac Brock. The explosion did serious and irreparable damage to the monument although it failed to bring it down.[32][33] | Opposition to British rule in Canada | Bombing |
| October 1864 | Montreal, QC | Historians have discussed the potential for aconspiracy to have partially formed when agents of theConfederate Secret Service hosted a visit to Montreal byJohn Wilkes Booth, thefuture assassin of U.S. PresidentAbraham Lincoln. After police shot Booth in 1865, they found amoney order for $184,000 drawn from the Montreal Branch of theOntario Bank.[34] | Anti-Lincoln | Assassination conspiracy |
| April 7, 1868 | Ottawa, ON | Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of theFathers of Confederation, isassassinated by an allegedIrish nationalist orFenian rebel sympathizer namedPatrick J. Whelan.[35] | Irish nationalism | Assassination |
| November 25, 1965 | Toronto, ON | Croatian nationalists bomb theYugoslav consulate at 377Spadina Road in Toronto. The blast "destroyed the door, door jamb, cement threshold, and foyer ceiling, and heavily damaged avestibule andanteroom;" it blew out the door and windows, and collapsed part of the first floor ceiling. No people were killed.[36] | Anti-Tito (Croatian nationalism) | Bombing |
| September 22, 1966 | Ottawa, ON | Abazooka attack on theCuban embassy in Ottawa is made.[37][38][39] | Anti-Castro (Cuban nationalism) | Bazooka |
| October 5, 1966 | Ottawa, ON | Anti-Castro forces bomb the offices of the Cuban trade delegation in Ottawa. | Anti-Castro | Bombing |
| January 29, 1967 | Ottawa and Toronto, ON | TheYugoslav embassy in Ottawa and the consulate in Toronto are among 6 Yugoslav offices inNorth America attacked as part of a synchronized bombing, on the eve of the anniversary of the adoption ofYugoslavia’s constitution. (The other bombs went off in the embassy ofWashington, D.C., and the consulates inChicago,New York, andSan Francisco.) The explosion destroyed windows in 15 houses, 35 apartments, and 6 nearby stores. No people were killed.[36] | Anti-Tito | Bombing |
| May 31, 1967 | Montreal, QC | A small bomb explodes at theCuba Pavilion atExpo 67 in Montreal. The attack is attributed toCuban Nationalist action. | Anti-Castro (Cuban nationalism) | Bombing |
| October 15, 1967 | Montreal, QC | A bomb explodes at the offices of the native trade delegation in Montreal. | Anti-Castro (Cuban nationalism) | Bombing |
| May 29, 1969 | Montreal, QC | A bomb is placed in the doorway of the Cuban consulate in Montreal but fails to go off. | Anti-Castro (Cuban nationalism) | Bombing attempt |
| July 12, 1971 | Montreal, QC | A small bomb goes off at the offices of the native trade delegation in Montreal. | Anti-Castro | Bombing |
| April 4, 1972 | Montreal, QC | Cuban officialSergio Pérez Castillo is killed by an explosion at the Cuban consulate in Montreal. | Anti-Castro | Bombing |
| January 21, 1974 | Ottawa, ON | A bomb explodes at the Cuban embassy in Ottawa. It is attributed toOrlando Bosch, head of theCoordination of United Revolutionary Organizations (CORU). | Anti-Castro | Bombing |
| September 22, 1976 | Montreal, QC | Anexplosive device is thrown from a car at the Cuban consulate in Montreal. | Anti-Castro | |
| January 14, 1980 | Montreal, QC | A large explosion significantly damages the Cuban consulate in Montreal. | ||
| April 8, 1982 | Ottawa, ON | Turkish Commercial Counsellor toCanada, Kani Güngör, is paralyzed after an attack byArmenian nationalists at his apartment in Ottawa.[35][39] | Armenian nationalism | Assassination attempt |
| August 23, 1982 | Ottawa, ON | Turkishmilitary attaché to Canada Col.Atilla Altıkat, is assassinated by Armenian militants in Ottawa while sitting in his vehicle at a traffic light.[35][39] | Armenian nationalism | Assassination |
| September 3, 1984 | Montreal, QC | 1984 Montreal bombing:Montreal Central Station is bombed, killing 3 French tourists and wounding more than 30.Thomas Bernard Brigham, an elderly retired American armed forces officer, claims to have been protestingPope John Paul II's visit to Canada.[40][41] | Anti-popery | Bombing |
| March 12, 1985 | Ottawa, ON | 1985 Turkish embassy attack in Ottawa: a group belonging to theArmenian Revolutionary Army seize theEmbassy of the Republic of Turkey in Ottawa, killing a Canadian security guard.[35][39] | Armenian nationalism | Shooting |
| June 23, 1985 | Montreal, QC (origin) andTokyo, Japan | Two attacks carried out bySikh extremists living inBritish Columbia:[39] Air India Flight 182 bombing: a commercial aircraft leaving Montreal'sMirabel International Airport is blown up mid-flight toLondon, England. This is considered the world's deadliest terrorist attack prior to September 11, 2001.[39] Narita International Airport bombing: an explosion at Tokyo'sNarita International Airport kills two baggage handlers, and injures four. The bomb was intended forAir India Flight 301, with 177 passengers and crew on board, bound for Bangkok International Airport.[39] | Khalistani | Bombing |
| May 26, 1986 | Vancouver, BC | An attempt is made to assassinateMalkiat Singh Sidhu, a cabinet minister in theIndian province ofPunjab visiting Vancouver. Sidhu is shot and wounded, but survives.[39] | Khalistani | Assassination attempt |
| August 28, 1988 | Surrey, BC | Indo-Canadian Times editorTara Singh Hayer is shot and partially paralyzed, probably due to his statements connected to the Flight 182 investigation.[39] | Khalistani | Assassination attempt |
| April 9, 1989 | Ottawa, ON | Charles Yacoub, aLebanese Canadian, hijacks aNew York-boundGreyhound bus and drives it toParliament Hill to protest theSyrian invasion of Lebanon. There were no casualties.[35][42][43] | Pro-Lebanon | Vehicular hijacking |
| November 18, 1998 | Surrey, BC | Indo-Canadian Times editor Tara Singh Hayer is shot to death. | Khalistani | Assassination |
| 2004 | United Kingdom | Police arrest Ottawa-nativeMomin Khawaja, who worked withBritish Islamists on a plot to detonate bombs in the United Kingdom. Khawaja was convicted in 2008 underCanada'sAnti-Terrorism Act.[39] | Islamic extremism | Bombing conspiracy |
| July 10, 2025 | Surrey, BC | Ten gunshots were fired shortly before 2:00 a.m. at the newly opened Kap's Cafe restaurant owned byIndianstand-up comedian, actor, television host, dubbing arist, producer and singerKapil Sharma while staff were still inside. No casualties were reported.[44] Harjit Singh Laddi, allegedly linked toBabbar Khalsa, claimed responsibility, citing anger over Sharma's alleged remarks as the motive.[45] | Khalistani | Shooting |
| Date | Location | Details | Alleged motive | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | Arson and bombing byFreedomites (svobodniki, Russian: "sovereign people") ofCommunity Doukhobor buildings and schools to protestmaterialism, and government pressure to schoolsvobodnik children | Anti-materialism | Bombings and arson | |
| October 29, 1924 | British Columbia | Peter Verigin (65) is killed in a still-unsolved train explosion betweenCastlegar andGrand Forks. Eight others killed included member of the provincial legislatureJohn McKie.[46] | Anti-materialism | Bombing |
| 1960s | British Columbia | Arson and bombings by SOF (Sons of Freedom), mostly conducted in the nude, took place throughout the 1960s:
| Anti-materialism | Bombing and arson |
| 1963-1970 | Montreal, QC, andOttawa, ON | Front de libération du Québec (FLQ), a separatist group, begins a bombing campaign at the average rate of one every ten days, detonating over 950 bombs in total and culminating in the1970 October Crisis.[48] Targets included English owned businesses, banks,McGill University, and the homes of prominent English speakers.[49]
| Quebec nationalism | Bombing campaign |
| January 29, 1965 | Edmonton, AB | Edmonton aircraft bombing: Two U.S. jets (F-84s) being overhauled byNorthwest Industries in Edmonton are destroyed and a third damaged when aleft-wing group protesting theVietnam War dynamites the planes; a security guard is killed during the incident.[50] | Anti-Vietnam War | Bombing |
| July 8, 1965 | Vancouver, BC (origin) | Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 21 bombing: A bomb destroys a commercialDouglas DC-6B airliner flying from Vancouver toWhitehorse, killing all 52 people on board. The case remainsunsolved.[51][52] | Unknown | Bombing |
| May 18, 1966 | Ottawa, ON | Paul Joseph Chartier's attempt to bomb theHouse of Commons fails when the device goes off prematurely in aCentre Block washroom, killing Chartier.[53] | anti-Canadian government | Bombing |
| October 5, 1970 | Montréal, Qc | British diplomatJames Cross and (on October 10) Quebec Minister of LabourPierre Laporte are kidnapped by the FLQ in Montreal. (Laporte's dead body was discovered in the trunk of a car in Montreal on October 17, and the murderers were arrested on December 26; Cross was released on December 3.) | Quebec nationalism | Kidnapping & assassination |
| October 14, 1982 | Ontario | Theanarchist groupSquamish Five bombs aLitton Industries factory north ofToronto, that is manufacturing guidance devices for Americancruise missiles, injuring ten. | Anarchism | Bombing |
| 1983 | Toronto, ON | ActivistHenry Morgentaler was attacked by a man wielding garden shears; the attack was blocked by feminist activistJudy Rebick, who was standing nearby.[54] | Anti-abortion | Stabbing attempt |
| May 8, 1984 | Quebec City, QC | SoldierDenis Lortie, afederalist, entered theNational Assembly of Quebec with the intent of killingRené Lévesque and the deputies of theParti Québécois. By chance, he came in too early, so fails to kill any deputies; though, he kills 3 other people and wounds 13. Unarmed employeeRené Jalbert negotiated with Lortie for several hours and convinced him to give up his gun and be arrested. Jalbert was decorated the next week. | Anti-Quebec nationalism | Mass shooting and assassination attempt |
| June 23, 1985 | Montreal, QC (origin) andTokyo, Japan | Two attacks carried out bySikh extremists living inBritish Columbia:[39] Air India Flight 182 bombing: a commercial aircraft leaving Montreal's Mirabel International Airport is blown up mid-flight to London, England, killing all 329 people aboard, including 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens, and 24 Indian citizens. This is considered the world's deadliest terrorist attack prior to September 11, 2001.[39] Narita International Airport bombing: an explosion at Tokyo's Narita International Airport kills two baggage handlers, and injures four. The bomb was intended for Air India Flight 301, with 177 passengers and crew on board, bound for Bangkok International Airport.[39] | Khalistani | Bombing |
| December 6, 1989 | Montreal, QC | École Polytechnique massacre (or Montreal massacre): 25-year-oldMarc Lépine, armed with a rifle and a hunting knife, shoots 28 people, killing 14 women, before committing suicide at thePolytechnique Montréal. He claimed he was "fightingfeminism" and calling the women "a bunch of feminists," he shot all 9 women in the room, killing 6. He then moved through corridors, the cafeteria, and another classroom, specifically targeting women to shoot. | Misogynist terrorism /antifeminism | Mass shooting |
| May 18, 1992 | Toronto, ON | ActivistHenry Morgentaler's clinic isfirebombed and sustained severe damage. The event occurred at night, so no one was injured, although a nearby bookstore was damaged. Appointments were switched to another clinic in Toronto and no abortions were prevented.[55] | Anti-abortion | Bombing |
| November 8, 1994 | Vancouver, BC | Dr.Garson Romalis is shot in the leg.[56] | Anti-abortion | Shooting |
| April 20, 1995 | Charlottetown, PEI | Roger Charles Bell (aliasLoki 7), a high-school teacher, places a bomb outsideProvince House at thePrince Edward Island legislature, injuring one. The explosion occurred several minutes after a class of school children passed through the area, and one day after theOklahoma City bombing attack in the United States. The 1995 attack was part of a string of bombings by Bell, which began in 1988 with apipe bomb denoting in a flower bed outside theProvincial Court in Charlottetown; followed by a garbage can explosion inHalifax'sPoint Pleasant Park in 1994; ending in 1996 with undetonated explosives that were planted at a Charlottetown propane station.[57][58] | "revenge at society" | Bombing |
| November 10, 1995 | Ancaster, ON | Dr. Hugh Short is shot in the elbow.[56] | Anti-abortion | Shooting |
| November 11, 1997 | Winnipeg, MB | Dr.Jack Fainman is shot in the shoulder.[56] | Anti-abortion | Shooting |
| December 14, 1999 | Victoria, BC | LAX bombing plot:Ahmed Ressam (alias Millennium Bomber) is arrested upon entering the United States by a ferry from Victoria. He was smuggling explosives in his car from Canada in a plot to bomb theLos Angeles International Airport (LAX) onNew Year's Eve 1999, as part of the foiled2000 millennium attack plots. | Islamic extremism | Bombing attempt |
| July 11, 2000 | Vancouver, BC | Dr. Garson Romalis is stabbed by an unidentified assailant in the lobby of his clinic.[59] | Anti-abortion | Stabbing |
| September 20, 2000 | Montreal, QC | The Brigade d'autodéfense du français bombs the St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Montreal where an English fundraiser was to be held.[60] | Quebec nationalism | Bombing |
| 2001 | Montreal, QC | Second Cup firebombing: The FLQ/Brigade d'autodéfense du français firebombs threeSecond Cup locations in Montreal. They were targeted because of the company's use of its incorporated English name "Second Cup".Rhéal Mathieu, a previously convicted FLQ terrorist, was convicted for all three bombings. SevenMcDonald's restaurants were also firebombed. | Quebec nationalism | Bombing |
| 2006 | Ottawa, ON | 2006 Ontario terrorism plot: Canadian counter-terrorism forces arrest 18 terrorists (dubbed the "Toronto 18") inspired byal-Qaeda. They are accused of planning to detonatetruck bombs; to open fire in a crowded area; and to storm theCanadian Broadcasting Centre, theCanadian Parliament building, theCanadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) headquarters, and the parliamentaryPeace Tower, to take hostages and to behead thePrime Minister and other leaders. | Islamic extremism | Bombing / shooting / assassination conspiracy |
| October 2008 to July 2009 | Dawson Creek, BC | 2008–09 British Columbia pipeline bombings: sixnatural gas pipelines owned byEnCana Corp. in Dawson Creek, were bombed after letters were sent to a local newspaper opposing the gas industry.[61] | Environmentalism | Bombing |
| August 2010 | Ottawa, ON | Misbahuddin Ahmed, a former hospital technician, is arrested (later convicted in July 2014) of conspiring to knowingly facilitate a terrorist activity, of participation in the activities of a terrorist group, and of possession of explosives with intent to do harm.[62][63] | Islamic extremism | Conspiracy |
| September 4, 2012 | Montreal, QC | 2012 Montreal shooting: The night of theQuebec provincial elections, Richard Bain, ananglophone Quebecer, attempted to assassinateParti Québécois leader and Premier electPauline Marois at a victory gathering in Montreal. He also set fire to theMétropolis concert hall where the event was being held. A man was killed and another was injured in the terrorist act. It is said that Bain's ultimate goal was to kill Marois following the Parti Québécois victory. Bain was arrested shortly after the attack.[64] On August 23, 2016, Bain was found guilty ofsecond-degree murder,[65] and on November 18, was sentenced tolife imprisonment with the possibility ofparole after 20 years.[66] | Anti-Quebec nationalism | Shooting |
| 2013 | Toronto, ON | 2013 Via Rail Canada terrorism plot:Chiheb Esseghaier andRaed Jaser of Montreal and Toronto, respectively, are charged as part of an alleged Al-Qaeda plot to derail a Toronto-bound train fromNew York on the Canadian side of the border.Canadian Muslims helped to foil the alleged plot.[67] The suspects said they were arrested based on their appearance.[68][69] | Islamic extremism (allegiance toAl-Qaeda) | Bombing conspiracy |
| June 4, 2014 | Moncton, NB | Moncton shootings: Justin Bourque, a 24-year-old, shot five officers from theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), killing three and severely injuring two.[1][70] Bourque admittedly planned to kill as many officers as he could, in an attempt to start a rebellion against what he considers an oppressive, corrupt government that he insists is suppressing the freedom of most Canadians and serving only the rich.[70] | Anti-Canadian government (pro-rebellion) | Shooting |
| October 20, 2014 | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC | 2014 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu ramming attack: twoCanadian Forces members are hit by Martin Couture-Rouleau, a recent Muslim convert. Warrant officerPatrice Vincent died of his injuries. Couture-Rouleau was eventually gunned down and killed.[71] | Islamic extremism | Vehicle-ramming |
| October 22, 2014 | Ottawa, ON | 2014 shootings at Parliament Hill:Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, a convert to Islam, fatally shoots Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a Canadian soldier on ceremonial sentry duty at theNational War Memorial, and then forced his way intoCanada's parliament building, where he has a shootout with parliament security personnel. He is shot 31 times and dies at the scene. Zehaf-Bibeau made a video prior to the attack in which he expressed his motives as being related "to Canada's foreign policy and in respect of his religious beliefs."[72][73] | Islamic extremism and anti-Canadian foreign policy | Shooting |
| August 10, 2016 | Strathroy, ON | Aaron Driver is killed in a confrontation with police after detonating an explosive in the back seat of a taxi. The confrontation followed a tip from theFBI that Driver had made a "martyrdom video" and was planning an attack on an urban area.[74] | Islamic extremism (allegiance toISIS) | Bombing (failed) |
| January 29, 2017 | Quebec City, QC | Quebec City mosque shooting: During evening prayer at theIslamic Cultural Centre mosque in Quebec City, one gunman enters and opens fire on Muslim worshipers, killing 6 people and injuring 19 (5 critically).[75] The gunman called police from a second location about 20 minutes after the shooting and was arrested byQuebec police without incident. The gunman, Alexandre Bissonnette from Quebec City, was inspired byextreme right-wing views onMuslims,refugees, andfeminists, which he shared online and atLaval University. He was also a supporter ofRassemblement National leaderMarine Le Pen ofFrance andU.S. PresidentDonald Trump.[76][77] | Islamophobia | Shooting |
| September 30, 2017 | Edmonton, AB | 2017 Edmonton attack: 30-year-old Abdulahi Sharif drives intoEdmonton police constable Mike Chernyk, then stabs him nearCommonwealth Stadium, fleeing and later hitting four pedestrians with a rental truck during a police pursuit.[78][79] Police have investigated the incident as an act of terrorism and confirmed the presence of anISIS flag in the van that struck the police officer.[80] Sharif was confirmed byRCMP assistant commissioner Marlin Degrand as aSomali national known to the RCMP and Edmonton Police as having past displayed signs of extremism.[81] | Islamic extremism (allegiance to ISIS) | Vehicle-ramming and stabbing |
| April 23, 2018 | Toronto, ON | Toronto van attack: After 25-year-old Alek Minassian's van attack in Toronto, aFacebook post was uncovered which tied him to predominantly male online communities wherein terminology such as "Incel Rebellion", "Beta Uprising," and "Beta Male Uprising" is used, referring to a violent response to sexlessness.[82] Minassian was reported to have self-identified as an incel, an abbreviation ofinvoluntary celibacy, which describes the state of being unable to find a romantic or sexual relationship despite desiring one.[83] | Misogynist terrorism /incel extremism | Vehicle-ramming |
| July 22, 2018 | Toronto, ON | 2018 Toronto shooting: Faisal Hussain killed 2 and injured 13 on Toronto'sDanforth Avenue. Authorities were unable to determine a motive despite a year long investigation.[84] Hussain was alleged to have been inspired byElliot Rodger (part of theincel movement).[85]Daesh claimed responsibility but law enforcement rejected this claim.[1] | Unknown[84] | Shooting |
| February 21, 2020 | Toronto, ON | Saad Akhtar kills a 64-year-old woman with a hammer in Toronto. The victim was chosen at random. Akhtar left a note on the victim's body, expressing support for ISIS. He was arrested and charged with terrorism offences.[86] | Islamic extremism (allegiance to ISIS) | Hammer attack |
| February 24, 2020 | Toronto, ON | 2020 Toronto machete attack: A 17-year-old boy stabs a female spa worker to death, attempts to kill her coworker, and injures another at asensual massage parlour in Toronto. On May 19, theToronto Police Service said the attack was attributed to the incel ideology and was being considered an act ofterrorism.[87] | Misogynist terrorism / incel extremism | Stabbing |
| June 6, 2021 | London, ON | London, Ontario truck attack: A man uses a pickup truck to run down a family of five, killing four and seriously injuring the fifth. The family was targeted because they were visibly Muslim.[citation needed] | Islamophobia | Vehicle-ramming |
| April 1, 2023 | Surrey, BC | A man was stabbed and wounded in the throat on a bus in Surrey by an Islamic State sympathizer.[88] | Islamic extremism | Stabbing attack |
| April 26, 2025 | Vancouver, BC | 2025 Vancouver car attack: A Vancouver resident named Kai-Ji Adam Lo drives his car straight into a crowd at theLapu-Lapu Day street festival and kills 11 attendees.[89] | Under investigation | Vehicle-ramming |
| July 9, 2025 | Quebec City, QC | TwoCanadian Armed Forces members and two others with military ties were arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to forcibly take possession of land and start an anti-government community north of Quebec City. Three of them were charged with facilitating terrorist activity, including a man that allegedly expressed a desire for aWaco siege-style massacre.[90][91] | Anti-government | Attempted massacre, stealing land |
| November 4, 2025 | Greater Toronto Area,Toronto, ON | A youth was charged with participating in the activities of a terrorist group by the editing and public posting ofISIS propaganda videos and inviting a person to provide property, i.e., firearms, intending that they be used, in whole or in part, for the purpose of facilitating or carrying out a terrorist activity. The accused cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Very little about the investigation was shared publicly.[92] | Islamic extremism | Attempted attack |
Canadian victims of non-Canada-related extremism abroad include:
TheCombating Terrorism Act, which came into force in July 2013, was put in place with the intent to prevent and deter individuals from leaving Canada for particular terrorism-related purposes. In 2018, the Canadian government states that there has not been an increase, nor does it expect an increase, in the number ofCanadian Extremist Travellers (CETs) who have returned to Canada. The total number of CETs identified by the government includes around 190 individuals who have a nexus to Canada, and near 60 who have returned.[1]
The following are some extremists around the world with Canadian connections.[1]
Seven people had died and dozens had been injured. In retrospect, it seems impossible, but one bomb was planted somewhere in Quebec every 10 days.
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