STATEMENT FROM HON. JASON KENNEY ON TERRORISM CHARGES LAID BY THE RCMP AGAINST FARAH MOHAMED SHIRDON

Today the RCMP laid charges against Farad Mohammad Shirdon, who left Canada to join a genocidal terrorist organization – the so-called Islamic State – that has declared war on Canada and called for attacks on Canadians. This group inspired the murder of two Canadian soldiers on our own soil, and has enslaved thousands of women and girls as young as eight.

I congratulate the RCMP and other agencies involved in this investigation.

These charge would not have been possible if it were not for our Conservative government’sCombating Terrorism Act which made it a criminal offence to leave or attempt to leave Canada for the purposes of participating in or facilitating terrorist activity.

Canada is not immune to the threat posed by ISIS. We are facing increased threats from jihadi terrorists who have carried out terrorist attacks in Canada and threatened Canadians by name.The presence of foreign fighters training and fighting in Syria and Iraq poses a security risk to Canada, as they aspire to recruit others and conduct attacks on our country.

The video of this individual burning and shooting his Canadian passport to express his violent hatred for Canada shocked many Canadians – and demonstrates how those who engage in terrorism betray the bond of loyalty and allegiance with Canada.

While the NDP and Liberals would pull us out of the fight against ISIS and weaken our anti-terrorism laws, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is taking strong action to counter terrorist threats at home and abroad. In addition to Canada’s military participation in the international coalition to degrade ISIS, the Prime Minister is taking strong action against terrorism at home and to punish terrorists who aim to kill Canadians.