(GNB Desk): Canada’s government has listed the Proud Boys and 12 other extremist groups as terrorist entities on Wednesday, placing the groups in the same list alongside the Islamic State and Al-Qaida.
Canada listed 13 new groups on the Criminal Code list of terrorist entities, including four ideologically motivated violent extremist groups: Atomwaffen Division, the Base, the Proud Boys and Russian Imperial Movement.
In addition, Canada has also listed:
- three Al Qaida affiliates: Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimin, Front de Libération du Macina, and Ansar Dine
– five Daesh affiliates: Islamic State West Africa Province, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, Islamic State in Libya, Islamic State East Asia, and Islamic State – Bangladesh
- Hizbul Mujahideen
“Based on their actions, each group meets the legal threshold” for the criminal designation, Public Safety Canada said as it announced the move. The agency cited “reasonable grounds to believe that an entity has knowingly participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity,” or has acted on behalf of or in association with such a terrorist entity.
“On January 6, 2021, the Proud Boys played a pivotal role in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Leaders of the group planned their participation by setting out objectives, issuing instructions, and directing members during the insurrection”,
“Violent extremism has no place in Canada. Today, we announced that 13 additional groups have met the threshold to be listed a terrorist entities in Canada. These additions include four groups whose violent extremism is motivated by hateful ideologies”, Public Security Minister Bill Blair tweeted.
The announcement comes after a symbolic, non-binding resolution was passed unanimously in the Canadian parliament at the end of January demanding the federal government declare the Proud Boys a “terrorist” organisation.
Jagmeet Singh, head of the opposition New Democratic Party, tweeted at the time-“It’s now on Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Govt to do the right thing and follow through on the unanimous will of Parliament. I hope he does, millions of Canadians do too”.
“The Criminal Code mandates severe penalties for people and organizations that deal with property or finances of a listed entity. A listing can also support the denial or revocation of a Canadian organization’s charitable status if it maintains connections to listed entities. Furthermore, persons seeking entry into Canada may be inadmissible if they are found to be associated with a listed entity. A listing also helps to facilitate the removal of an entity’s online content.The Government of Canada will continue to identify and target entities that meet the threshold for listing, regardless of their ideology, as a means to apply significant consequences on these groups and the individuals that support them”, Public Safety Canada said in the press statement.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
