Question Period Note: Spike in Violent Rhetori

CP24 has published an article on Canadian Security Intelligence Service’ (CSIS) warning that the Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in violent rhetoric from extremist actors.

• Canada has experienced a rise in violent rhetoric and hate crimes targeting Canadian Jewish and Muslim communities since the events of October 7, 2023.

• The possibility that radicalized individuals and violent extremist organizations are using the conflict as motivation to conduct acts of serious violence is deeply concerning.

• While the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is an important part of our democracy, individuals are never justified in engaging in violence.

• The Government of Canada is working diligently to ensure that Canada and all persons in Canada are safe from threats of violence. I know that CSIS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are working together to identify, monitor, and respond to the evolving threat environment.

• It is fundamental that Canada takes a whole-of-society approach to countering violent rhetoric and hate, which is why the Government has prioritized engagement with community leaders and universities.

• Public Safety’s Canada (PS) Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence continues to provide national leadership on Canada’s efforts to counter radicalization to violence.

• The Government is also working closely with the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia and the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Anti-Semitism, in order to combat violent rhetoric and keep Canada’s communities safe.

CP24 has published an article on CSIS’ warning that the Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in violent rhetoric from extremist actors. The article was published in response to newly released documents (retrieved through an ATIP) which detail discussions from last fall between CSIS, PS, and Muslim and Jewish community leaders increases in hate crimes.

Documents included assurances that CSIS will continue to monitor these threats, and that PS would be reaching out to universities to discuss antisemitism on campuses.

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