Montreal anti-radicalization centre shifts focus from jihadism to far-right violence
Global News
After a period of organizational turbulence, the centre has continued its work, with a lower profile, a smaller budget, and a focus that has increasingly shifted.
Montreal’s anti-radicalization centre no longer occupies the same spacious offices that once received high-profile visitors such as then-UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
To reach its current office, visitors have to navigate the corridors of the concrete pyramid that is the city’s former Olympic Village, past pizza and sushi shops, other offices and a grocery store.
The new venue is one of many changes that the Centre for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence has undergone since it opened in 2015 to great fanfare. Its creation came as a wave of young Quebecers was leaving to join the Islamic State terror group in Syria and after attacks in Ottawa and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., that were inspired by the terror group.
After a period of organizational turbulence, the centre has continued its work, with a lower profile, a smaller budget, and a focus that has increasingly shifted from radical Islam to the far right and conspiracy theorists.
Louis Audet Gosselin, the centre’s scientific and strategic director, said that while the fear of young people leaving for Syria was the “spark” that convinced authorities to fund the centre, the institution very quickly made it clear that its scope wasn’t limited to one threat.
“Pretty soon, the centre found it really important to communicate that radicalization was something way beyond that specific moment, and that specific ideology of jihadism, or a form of political Islam,” he said.
“Every type of ideology, of social or political idea, can have a radical and an extremist trend and can lead to radicalization.”
Audet Gosselin said the COVID-19 pandemic “democratized” the notion of radicalization by making people realize that it could happen to someone of any age or background. Calls to the centre in 2020 — the first year of the pandemic — doubled from the previous year. The centre’s annual report credited the spike to “a fraying of the social fabric” that led to violent acts, conspiracy theories and polarized debate.
Police said they were called to the store, which is located on Rue De Liege in Montreal, around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
After telling customers in October that Dec. 31 would be the last day those forms of payment would be accepted, the TTC decided this month to extend it to June 1, 2025.
Venne, born in Lamont, Alta., was one of the first appointees to Alberta's Human Rights Commission in 1973 and later served as chair.
Maier, 27, completed 357 of 494 passes for 3,841 yards with 22 TDs and 14 interceptions last season.
Peel Regional Police have dismantled a sophisticated car theft ring, recovering nearly $4-million worth of stolen vehicles and laying over 100 criminal charges.
Governor Tiff Macklem indicated further cuts would be more gradual, a shift from previous messaging that continuous easing was needed to support growth.
Megan Claxton and Taylor Smyth expected their second child to arrive in January. They called 911 when she went into labour five weeks early. 'I didn't get a chance to thank them.'
Nova Scotia Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage has released the names of the five people appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia for 2024.
The money raised by Ed Video in January was a part of the $280 million raised through the site in Canada in 2024. Guelph was listed 11th out of 20 communities across the country.
Here is your guide for what services, attractions, major businesses and institutions are open and closed in Toronto on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland drew sharp criticism from two cabinet ministers for the way she quit cabinet but many backbenchers hope she succeeds Justin Trudeau.