The Current How deep does extremism run in Canada’s Armed Forces?
Jul 10, 2025
Jessica Davis, a former CSIS analyst and current consultant, along with Amarnath Amarasingam, an associate professor at Queen's University, dive into the troubling case of two Canadian Armed Forces members charged with terrorism for their anti-government plot. They discuss how this incident highlights the concerning rise of ideologically motivated violent extremism in Canada’s military. The pair explore motivations behind such radicalization, the parallels with U.S. extremism, and the urgent need for the Armed Forces to develop effective strategies to address these issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Unprecedented Charges in CAF Extremism
- Active Canadian Armed Forces members were charged in an extremist plot for the first time in Canada.
- The weapons cache seized was the largest ever in a terrorism incident in Canadian history.
Gap in Extremism Enforcement
- Over 75% of terrorist attacks in Canada are ideologically motivated violent extremism.
- Yet only 20% of terrorism charges correspond to this category, revealing an enforcement gap.
Far-Right Land Seizure Ideology
- The Quebec militia's plot to seize land emulates far-right anti-government ideology.
- Ideas of creating a new society and possession of land resonate strongly with far-right movements.