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(Updated)
Canada’s terror threat level has been raised from low to medium. But officials insist it has nothing to do with a specific threat.
It comes as more information has come to light about the Quebec man shot dead by police — after running down two soldiers, with his car on Monday. The RCMP says not only were they aware that 25-year old Martin Couture-Rouleau was becoming radicalized — but they also took several steps to intervene, and turn Rouleau away from the violence that ultimately claimed not only his life, but the life of warrant officer Patrice Vincent as well.
On the very day jet fighters were sent to battle Islamic extremists overseas — officials here were dealing with a homegrown terrorist who brought that battle to Canada’s front door.
Steven Blaney, Public Safety Minister: “I am horrified by what took place here. This is a terrible act of violence against our country, against our military, against our values.”
25-year old Martin Couture-Rouleau was shot dead by police, after ramming his car into two Canadian soldiers, and leading authorities on a high speed chase in St-Jean-sur-Richlieu, Quebec.
One of those soldiers, 53-year old warrant officer Patrice Vincent died of his injuries. The second, unidentified soldier, is still in hospital.
So far, little is known about Rouleau. He had a trouble-plagued pressure-washing business registered in Quebec, and only three days ago, he had launched a custody case for his young son.
Legal documents show he converted to Islam in 2013.
Couture-Rouleau’s parents were worried about their son and reported his suspected radicalization to police. They weren’t the only ones who had noticed a substantial change in their son.
Shelly Brennan, neighbour: “He was wearing a tunic. He had something on his head. He was wearing a beard, and that’s not the boy I remember.”
The RCMP say they arrested him, in June as he was about to leave the country, and seized his passport, because he was suspected of being an extremist with possible terrorist links.
Police say they had no grounds to arrest him.
Supt. Martine Fontaine, RCMP: “We could not arrest someone for thinking — for having radical thoughts. it’s not a crime in Canada.”
Rouleau then met with police and his Imam several times, including days before the attack.
Supt. Fontaine: “We saw him the last time on October 9th. that’s when we had a long discussion with him and when he showed some intention of wanting to change a bit.”
Shelly Brennan: “It’s scary, to have that so close to home.”
Prime Minister Harper: “We are currently examining the possibilities through which we can give more tools to our security organizations to bring charges as soon as possible.”
But even as the Prime Minister sought to reassure Canadians that the government was moving quickly to ensure their safety — his National Defence Minister, Rob Nicholson speaking in Alberta, was giving voice to the most disturbing possibility of all: “And we are deeply concerned that these radical militants will inspire terrorists here, and at home.”
But the issue of most concern for Canadians, possibly, is the revelation that the RCMP and Canadian security forces are currently conducting 63 separate investigations involving 90 suspects — who are demonstrating the same radical behaviour shown by Martin Couture-Rouleau. Yet unless another crime is committed — all they can do, is watch.
Photo courtesy Dept. of National Defence
