Feds won’t confirm possible terror threats targeting Canada Day celebrations
Posted June 28, 2017 8:17 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – The federal government is trying to calm some fears about the security of Canada Day celebrations, after reports say ISIS has named our country and the United States as potential targets, following the Manchester bombing late last month.
In an email statement, the public safety minister’s office says it doesn’t comment on specific threats but adds the government is unwavering in its commitment to protect Canadians and will continue to take appropriate action to counter terrorist threats.
Recently RCMP Superintendent Mike O’Beirne also didn’t directly answer when asked about any known threats for Canada Day. “Our assessment is continuous, both domestically and internationally and I can tell you constantly in contact with our partners in that regard.”
He adds officers are preparing for all possible security scenarios. “We’ve been monitoring all the external, internal pressures and we flex our contingency plans in regards to that.”
There are reports the threat was not made about Canada Day celebrations specifically, but it urges Muslims to avoid public gatherings and threatened to use “explosives, vehicles, [and] beheadings to kill crusaders.” However, police in Ottawa and Mounties have said there will be heightened security measures and it will be all hands on deck for the celebration in the nation’s capital, which is expecting a crowd of about half a million people.
The public safety minister’s office stresses police will be involved in celebrations across the country and it’s urging Canadians to be vigilant, and stay up to date with the latest security requirements.
The terror threat in Canada remains at medium.
