Ottawa youth guilty of terror charges in alleged plot against Jewish people

The Ottawa courthouse. April 16, 2026. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa)

An Ontario Superior Court judge has found an Ottawa youth guilty of terrorism charges stemming from an alleged plan to attack Jewish people — just hours after the young person invited a finding of guilt.

The development came in an Ontario court Wednesday before a trial for the young person and a co-accused was set to begin.

The youth, who cannot be legally identified due to his age, pleaded not guilty to four charges, but he admitted to a statement of facts and invited the court to find him guilty.

The unusual move preserves his right to appeal the pretrial exclusion of certain evidence in the case, as well as the guilty findings.

Justice Ian Carter found the youth guilty of conspiracy to commit murder through involvement with a terrorist group.

The findings of guilt also include facilitating terrorist activity by possessing explosive substances, specifically acetone, an oxidizer and metal ball bearings.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 22, 2026.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press