The RCMP is tracking and investigating a "steadily increasing" number of suspected extremists, according to Commissioner Bob Paulson.

Speaking to CTV's Question Period, Paulson said the RCMP is seeing an increase in such cases in certain areas of the country.

"It's steadily increasing," said Paulson. "In Alberta, we're seeing a steady increase in the kind of files that are coming into the police. In Ontario, increasing. In Montreal, increasing."

Security officials have said that more than 140 Canadians have left the country to fight with extremist groups overseas. While Paulson said this number has increased, he would not say by how much. 

"I'm trying to get out of the numbers business; it's increasing, the number of people that we are tracking and investigating," he said.

Paulson's comments come days after he appeared before the House of Commons public safety committee, where he released a portion of the video recorded by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau moments before he attacked the National War Memorial and Parliament Hill in Ottawa last year. Zehaf-Bibeau shot and killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a young reservist guarding the memorial, on Oct. 22. The government deemed the incident a terrorist attack. 

Increased oversight

Days ahead of another appearance before the committee - this time on the government's new anti-terror bill - Paulson also said he has no problem with strengthened oversight of the RCMP.

Paulson will appear before the Commons public safety committee again Tuesday as it begins studying the Conservative government's Bill C-51. 

The bill would grant Canada's security agencies more powers, such as preventative arrest for the RCMP. But critics and opposition parties have criticized the controversial bill for its lack of civilian and parliamentary oversight of Canada's security agencies, including the RCMP. 

More money needed

Despite the new powers proposed in Bill C-51, Paulson said that's not what the RCMP needs most right now. 

"We're spending all of our money and we need more," said Paulson.

Last Friday, Paulson told the committee that the 600 RCMP officers and staff have been reassigned to work on counter-terrorism – an increase of 300 officers since the Oct. 22 attack. While he recognizes that "times are tough (and) money's scarce," Paulson said the RCMP is working to make the case for more money from the federal government – something he thinks is being received well.

"The cheque's in the mail I hope," said Paulson. 

Zehef-Bibeau revelations

Paulson shocked many when, at Friday's committee meeting, he revealed that Zehaf-Bibeau had no drugs or alcohol in his body during the attack last October. But Paulson told Question Period that he was not surprised by the toxicology results. 

"No, I wasn't surprised because it was a very … deliberate act," said Paulson. "It took some planning. It took some thinking."

Zehaf-Bibeau appeared calm and lucid in the video, which was recorded moments before he shot Cirillo and stormed Parliament Hill. He explained how the attack was "in retaliation for Afghanistan" and Canada's mission in Iraq. However, the entire video was not shown – 18 seconds were edited out for reasons Paulson refused to explain. 

"I can't give you a clue."

As the investigation into Zehaf-Bibeau continues, Paulson said it still remains unclear whether he had an ISIS recruiter encouraging him to conduct the attack. Paulson admitted that tracking recruiters is a tough task. 

"There's no question that it's difficult. It doesn’t mean we're not trying," said Paulson.