Proud Boys added to Canada's terror list

OTTAWA • The Trudeau government has added the Proud Boys and three other extreme right-wing groups to its list of terrorist organizations as it seeks to tackle the sort of neo-fascism and white nationalism that boiled over in the U.S. last month.

Public Safety Minister Bill Blair announced Wednesday that the four right-wing groups are among 13 additions to the list along with three groups linked to al-Qaida, four associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and one Kashmiri organization.

Groups on Canada's roster of terrorist entities, created after the 9/11 attacks, may have their assets seized, and there are serious criminal penalties for helping listed organizations carry out extremist activities.

The decision to add the Proud Boys had been anticipated after the storming of Capitol Hill in Washington last month focused a spotlight on the group and Blair confirmed Canadian authorities were looking into its activities.

The House of Commons then passed an NDP motion calling on the government to use all available tools to address the proliferation of white supremacists and hate groups, starting with designating the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity.

Blair on Wednesday repeatedly denied any political influence in the decision to list the Proud Boys and three other right-wing extremist organizations.

“This process of listing a terrorist entity cannot be political,” Blair said during a news conference.

“It has to be based entirely on evidence, intelligence and the law. And that's why I've tried very carefully to articulate the depth of gathering that evidence and intelligence that has been taking place over several months and even years.”

Canada's decision resonated in Washington, where White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. would await the results of an ongoing intelligence assessment of domestic terror threats before deciding whether to follow suit.

The other three right-wing extremist groups added Wednesday were The Base, the Atomwaffen Division and the Russian Imperial Movement, all of which are described as neo-Nazi and white-supremacy organizations.

The listing process begins with intelligence reports that provide reason to believe an organization has knowingly carried out, attempted to carry out, participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity.

If the public safety minister believes the threshold is met, the minister may recommend to cabinet that the organization be added to the list. The listing is then published if the cabinet agrees.

A listed group is not banned, nor is it a crime to be on the roster. However, the group's assets and property are effectively frozen and subject to seizure or forfeiture.