Al-Qaeda in Canada

SDA has a good overview and excellent links relating to the arrest of 17 “Canadians” in an apprehended bomb plot. They had three times the amount of ammonium nitrate as was used by Timothy McVeigh in the Oklahoma bombing.

Reportedly, one target was the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway. This is being denied by the authorities. The carnage could have been incredible.

GTA, by the way, is Greater Toronto Area.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s statement:

Statement by the Prime Minister on terrorism arrests made in Toronto

June 3, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement in relation to the recent arrests made in Toronto, announced earlier today:

“This morning, Canadians awoke to the news that our law enforcement and national security agencies have arrested 17 individuals for terrorism related offences.

“These individuals were allegedly intent on committing acts of terrorism against their own country and their own people.

“As we have said on many occasions, Canada is not immune to the threat of terrorism. Through the work and cooperation of the RCMP, CSIS, local law enforcement and Toronto’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), acts of violence by extremist groups may have been prevented.

“Today, Canada’s security and intelligence measures worked. Canada’s new Government will pursue its efforts to ensure the national security of all Canadians.”

The Canadian press is reporting the would-be mass-murderers are “from a variey of backgrounds.” Well, here’s the list of those arrested. You decide on the diversity question.

1. Fahim Ahmad, 21, Toronto;
2. Zakaria Amara, 20, Mississauga, Ont.;
3. Asad Ansari, 21, Mississauga;
4. Shareef Abdelhaleen, 30, Mississauga;
5. Qayyum Abdul Jamal, 43, Mississauga;
6. Mohammed Dirie, 22, Kingston, Ont.;
7. Yasim Abdi Mohamed, 24, Kingston;
8. Jahmaal James, 23, Toronto;
9. Amin Mohamed Durrani, 19, Toronto;
10. Steven Vikash Chand alias Abdul Shakur, 25, Toronto;
11. Ahmad Mustafa Ghany, 21, Mississauga;
12. Saad Khalid, 19, of Eclipse Avenue, Mississauga.

Those arrested are having their first court appearances in Brampton. In the late 70s I lived in a 100 year old house at 51 Union Street, a mile or so from the Hurontario Street courthouse. Lends a note of surrealism for me.

I wonder if Debbie Stabenow will rethink her opposition to requiring ID cards/passports at Canadian border crossings.