Making Canada Safe
Dr. Bikram Lamba
The arrest of 17 terrorists by the combined efforts of CSIS, RCMP, and local police, and consequent spine chilling revelations including the well-planned desire to behead Stephen Harper shows that this breed of terrorists is definitely not an overnight growth. The admission by Deputy Chief of CSIS that Canada has the maximum number of terrorist groups has a ring of nightmare. The question arises that why this country, which is a safe heaven for the god forsaken humanity, the country that provides succor and refuge to afflicted from all corner of this world, the country that accepts outsiders and embraces them as its own children should have to face the degenerate despicable acts of terrorists. And I definitely do not refer only to the Islamist terrorists but to the whole horde of terrorist be they the Khalistanis, or the Tamilians, or other small groups who want to make an impact in their own countries while being recipients of the bounty in this country.
These terrorist groups are breeding in this country because they are aware that the state in this country is a soft state that the political leadership of this country has ignored minor refractions of law as minor indiscretions rather than inhuman callous unacceptable terrorist activities.
Our constitutional document, the British North American Act, pledges itself to the pursuit of “peace, order, and good government”, which no Canadian has any doubt that despite many deficiencies our government is much better than moany other governments. We have succeeded in building decent society. In many ways, Canada is still a frontier societ apart from having a long cosmopolitan history. Both these traits encourage immigration. However, there is a tacit understanding that the new comes would live a peaceful, quiet and mannerly life. But the things have changed over the last 25 years and we have paid no attention to this change. As we opened our gates wider than ever, tolerance became a public virtue rather than being a private one. We became more concerned with being politically correct rather than being politically honest. We developed a defensive mechanism so as not to express any concern overtly or covertly about some of the people coming to Canada. This ostrich like attitude was perfectly suited to the terrorists who could talk and train the younger and impressionable persons into their nefarious activities.
First Terrorist Act
The first inkling of terrorism started with the Sikh immigrants. The Canadian Sikhs fell prey to violent terrorists who wanted to change the geographical map of India. The prosperity of Canadian Sikhs fuelled the war on Punjab. With this open support for terrorism in gurudwaras, we barely blinked at violation of Canadian values. And then came the Sri Lankan Tamils who once again funded their homeland terrorist campaign. In any other society, which was not as tolerant as Canada, they would have at least been deported. In 1994, came another refugee with fraudulent documents and dropped out of sight. And this refugee claimant was no other than the infamous terrorist- Ahmad Ressam. With this history of tolerating terrorists, it is no wonder that the thing would get out of hand.
Government Policy
The basic cause of terrorism can be traced back to the wrongly conceived policies starting with Prime Minister Trudeau. Trudeau is treated as the icon of Canadian politics and is almost revered by the immigrants. His propagation of multiculturalism is what endears him to the new Canadians. The Canadian society is swayed by the idealism of multiculturalism but is unable to realize the potential of damage.
I fully realize that I am exposing myself to multi-direction attack by the protagonists of multiculturalism. But somebody has to reveal the truth by ripping the façade of politically correct behaviour. Multiculturalism is fine as long as it encourages the development of all cultures. But the way it has been practiced, it has been successful in creating ghettos of all sorts – political, economic, social, and religious. A number of cities and towns have become exclusive domain of different cultures and subcultures. This inhibits closer and emotional integration of society. The immigrants take an oath of loyalty to Canada and yet when I hear the ethnic radio and read some of the press, especially the native language press, I am shocked. They do not talk of Canada as their country. They talk of India or Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, Ghana or Somalia, et al as their country. Primarily their loyalties lie with the geographical entity that is beyond the sovereign territorial boundaries of Canada. This attitude is the breeding ground for terrorism.
This multiculturalism results in pandering to the minority groups. When I see the chief of police in full uniform wear a headscarf of a particular community, it just, as per my perception, insults the uniform he is wearing. The dignity of uniform has to be preserved and he does not do so when he dons his headscarf in place of the peak cap. When I see the Supreme Court permitting the wearing of kirpan, again I am outraged. No Sikh is allowed to wear kirpan in the planes of Air India or Indian Airlines. How come that their religious practices are not outraged at that time? These apparently minor and trivial issues are a testing ground for the expansion of nefarious activities.
National Security Policy
To prevent such activities, the National Security Policy tabled in
Parliament on April 27, 2004, outlining a broad scope of security,
intelligence and public safety measures to protect Canadians not only
against current and future security threats.
The government set aside $690 million for an integrated framework. The policy is based on three core national security
interests: Protect Canada and Canadians at home and abroad, ensure Canada
is not a base for threats to Canada's allies, and contribute to
international security. Under this policy money will be dedicated for
developing or enhancing tools to fulfil security responsibilities and
activities including:
· Implementing the RCMP Real Time Identification Project, which will allow it to verify fingerprints in broader databases.
· Modernizing the RCMP's criminal record system.
· Implementing a Passport Security Strategy, which includes facial recognition biometric technology.
·
Enhancing intelligence capabilities and securing critical
government
information systems.
· Reviewing and modernizing the Emergency Preparedness Act.
· The National Security Policy involves the creation of a variety of new bodies including:
1. A National Security Advisory Council made up of security experts from outside the government who will evaluate and improve the security system.
2. An integrated Threat Assessment Centre and a Government Operations Centre to improve sharing and dissemination of threat information to co-ordinate responses
3. An arms-length review mechanism for RCMP national security activities.
4. Health Emergency Response Teams of health professionals from across the country to respond to health emergencies. A new Public Health Agency and a new chief public health officer.
Marine
Safety:
Marine safety is also addressed in the new security policy. The government
will engage North American partners in addressing areas such as
biosecurity, food safety, cyber-security, public health, marine and
transportation security, all part of the Smart Borders Action Plan, which
includes Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. As well, the government will secure
marine security by connecting marine security centers in a new network. It
will increase surveillance both on the water and in the air by the
Canadian Forces, the RCMP, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Department of
Fisheries and Oceans.
Borders:
Border security has been a huge concern since the Sept. 11 attacks and it
is addressed in the new security policy. In addition to improvements to
fingerprinting and passports, the government will also streamline its
refugee determination process to better determine who is a genuine refugee
and who is abusing the system.
International security:
The government is committed to playing a vital role in countering
international terrorism, prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and defuse key inter/intra-state conflicts. It is committed to
make the Canadian Forces flexible, responsive and combat-capable for a
wide range of operations, including working with Canada's allies. To do
this, the government uses its experience in peace building to help
developing countries as well as failed and failing states.
Homegrown
terrorism
"We are a target because
of who we are and how we live, our society, our
diversity and our values," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.
"Their alleged target was Canada: Canadian institutions, the
Canadian economy, the Canadian people."
All of the suspects were either born in Canada or were long-time
residents. Luc Portelance,
the assistant director of operations for the Canadian Security
Intelligence Service (CSIS) called it a case of "home-grown
terrorism." "For
various reasons, they appear to have become adherents of a violent
ideology inspired by al-Qaeda," Portelance told reporters.
On Nov. 13, 2002, Canada was
named as a potential target for attacks in an audiotape attributed to
Osama bin Laden. Security officials had been warning
since then that it was a matter of "when" and not
"if" Canada would be attacked.
On May 29, days before the arrests, the deputy director of CSIS,
Jack Hooper appeared before the Senate defence committee, where he
addressed the possibility of
"home-grown terrorists" in Canada. "We know who and where
some of them are," he told the committee.
Coming to the present case, there are some disturbing points. Just think of these three points:
-
The complete bombing material was delivered by the undercover RCMP
-
How can two imprisoned persons be participants in the conspiracy? If that was so, it must be with the connivance of the jail authorities.
-
Where would the three tons of fertilizers be stored?
These three points do raise some doubts about this particular case but they do not in any way diminish either the possibility or the probability of the terrorist activities slowly but surely increasing.
Mistaken
Notion
I often wonder why people should adopt this course of action especially in the country that has provided them safe haven. It is because of the cultural background. The people coming especially from Middle East and South Asia, primarily mistakenly construe gentle and human approach with a sign of weakness. They often assume that they are doing a favor to the country by having settled here. The constant harping of the media on ‘the motherland’, ‘back home’, ‘our country’ is further augmentation of that thought.
The issue at hand is that the society must ensure emotional integration. The immigrants on their part must endeavor to become a part of the polity. To talk of preserving culture is fine; what is not appropriate is preserving of separate identity. The laws of the land must take precedence over the social and religious mores. At the same time, action must be taken at the first evidence of terrorist action. This haven must not be allowed to be sullied. This refuge of the people from all over must not be allowed to become the hunting ground of the carrion.
The government must make it clear that any-social or terrorist activity shall not be tolerated. It must come down with heavy hand on such people who are guilty; while ensuring that the professional objectivity is not sacrificed for any reason. Luckily, the law and order agency have a healthy reputation, yet care should be taken that issues , as noted above, are not created to vitiate the credibility.
I would say that this is the time when we do not have to be politically correct; when we do not need ghettos, when we need to be emotionally integrated in the ‘Canadian melting pot, when we have to ensure that such activities are weeded out. This is the time for introspection and clarity of thought, shorn of dogma and devoid of sentimentalism. Pragmatic attitude is the need of the hour.
Dr. Bikram Lamba is a political and business strategist and a freelance writer. He can be contacted at torconsult@rogers.com.
