Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Canada

Country Overview:  Canada describes its significant terrorism threat as emanating from domestic individuals or small cells inspired by online content rather than a plot directed or enabled by a foreign terrorist group.  Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) remains concerned about terrorists’ recruitment online, particularly its growing recruitment of youth.  In 2024, Canada designated the IRGC, Samidoun, and the Houthis under Public Safety Canada’s public terror list.  Under Canada’s Criminal Code, authorities can block sympathizers in Canada from providing financial assistance to listed terrorist groups.  In June, the government amended its Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and Criminal Code.  Highlights included expanding into new sectors, such as financing and leasing companies; increasing penalties for non-compliance; and improving information sharing by allowing regulated entities to share personal information with an individual’s consent, provided it is for the purpose of detecting or deterring money laundering, terrorist financing, or sanctions evasion.

2024 Terrorism Trends:  On January 23, Bezhani Sarvar entered Edmonton City Hall and fired several rounds from an assault rifle, in addition to detonating homemade explosives.  No one was injured in the attack.  He was charged with 11 terrorism-related offenses.  On February 15, the RCMP charged two minors with conspiring to commit murder in association with a terrorist group and knowingly facilitating terrorist activity for allegedly plotting to bomb a pro-Israel rally.