New federal anti-terror legislation to be tabled soon after MPs return to work later this month will address “a number of gaps” that hinder the ability of Canada’s security agencies to share information, CTV News has learned.
The new bill will target Canadian militants who travel abroad, as well as homegrown threats, including young radicals.
A source has told CTV News that “a number of gaps have been identified when it comes to the ability of various security agencies to share information.” Those gaps “must be addressed” in the bill, the source added.
The exact text of the legislation has not been released. However, the bill is expected to include the following elements:
- Make it easier for police to detain potential terror suspects;
- Allow Passport Canada to share suspicious information with authorities;
- Allow for information sharing between authorities on weapons tracking;
- And include a preventative plan to tackle youth radicalization.
The House of Commons reconvenes on Jan. 26.
The new bill comes amidst growing concerns about homegrown terrorists who travel overseas to train and fight with militant groups and may return to plot attacks on Canadian soil.
On Wednesday, the federal government said it is looking into reports that a Canadian who starred in an ISIS propaganda video has been killed in northern Syria.
John Maguire, 23, who used the name Abu Anwar Al-Canadi, was killed in the city of Kobani, according to a pro-ISIS Twitter account.
With files from CTV’s Katie Simpson in Ottawa
