Tories want action against terror recruit living in Toronto

Self-described Daesh recruiter questioned, let go by RCMP in 2017

Conservative MPs say the government should be going after a Canadian who told a New York Times podcast that he shot people in the head as an executioner for Daesh militants in Syria. The man, who used the name Abu Huzaifa al-Kanadi, is now reported to be living in Toronto.

In question period on Friday, Conservatives demanded government action, but Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale was cautious, saying he couldn’t comment because of security concerns.

“This individual is speaking freely to the media,” said Conservative House leader Candice Bergen. “The government has got to know where he is.”

Abu Huzaifa says, in “Caliphate,” the New York Times podcast, that he took part in a communal execution of Sunni Muslim men. He said the men, who were blindfolded and had their arms tied, were killed because they had offered resistance to Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL.

“At first you have to bring yourself to do it. You say, ‘OK I’m finally killing someone now.’ This is maybe the next step to being a front-line fighter, and I already had some goals of being a front-line fighter.” In the end, “you kind of have to close your eyes and do it. You just shoot.”

Abu Huzaifa says in the podcast that he delivered the fatal shot to the back of the man’s head and felt justified in doing so. He also says he would not be held responsible for his killings.

“The media are reporting this individual is in Toronto, right now, as we speak. Can the government confirm it? Why isn’t this government doing something?” Bergen asked.

Goodale said police and security agencies are doing their jobs properly. “I am charged with the responsibility of keeping Canadians safe,” he said. “Discussing operational matters on the floor of the House of Commons is exactly the opposite of keeping Canadians safe.” Bergen, however, was not backing down.

“This guy is apparently in Toronto,” she said. “Canadians deserve more answers from this government. Why aren’t they doing something about this despicable animal?”

CBC News reported in 2017 that Abu Huzaifa had been questioned extensively by RCMP and CSIS, but had not been charged. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has estimated that about 60 Canadians have returned home after fighting with foreign terrorist groups.

The federal government has established a centre to fund research and programs to stop radicalization and help people leave extremist groups, although the Conservatives have scorned its efforts as little more than poetry lessons for terrorists.

The government says it has a host of other counter-terrorism tools for returnees, including surveillance, criminal investigations, peace bonds and the revocation of passports.