We're very vulnerable.
The RCMP says media reports from Switzerland about possible ISIS-linked threats against Canadian cities, including Toronto, are being taken “very seriously.”
But Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says Canada has not increased its security alert level after reports from European news outlets of a potential terror plot that might have involved Canadian cities.
“There is no change in the status of the alerts and so forth, but we will remain vigilant,” Goodale told reporters Thursday. “Nobody is taking anything for granted, but there is nothing available to us at this moment that would . . . cause any change in status.”
Goodale was commenting on reports out of Switzerland Thursday concerning a manhunt involving four men alleged to be ISIS sympathizers. The Swiss newspaper Tribune de Genève reported that a journalist had seen a police document concerning an investigation into the four unnamed men, which indicated that Geneva, Toronto and Chicago were being targeted for attacks.
According to the newspaper, United States intelligence services had provided information to Swiss authorities.
Other news from European outlets referred to a video in which another suspect allegedly talked about attacks in Geneva, Vancouver and Ottawa.
The Toronto Star could not independently verify any threat.
A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police would say only it was aware of reports about “potential threats against certain Canadian cities.”
“The safety and security of Canadian citizens is of the utmost importance to the RCMP, and we take these threats very seriously,” Sgt. Harold Pfleiderer wrote in an email.
Toronto police spokesperson Const. David Hopkinson said the force is aware of the media reports out of Switzerland, but would not say if Toronto police had increased security for operational reasons.
“If there was a reason to be concerned, we have a plan in place to deal with it,” Hopkinson said. “We monitor these threats and we take them seriously and we prepare for any eventuality.”
Swiss officials launched an investigation Wednesday after gathering intelligence about a terror attack being planned in Geneva, the federal public safety ministry said in a statement. An official from Geneva’s public safety department told the Star that she could not comment while the investigation was ongoing.
Scott Bardsley, a spokesperson for Goodale, said the government monitors “all potential threats and has robust measures in place to address them.”
“Canada’s security agencies work closely with allies and key partners to continuously reassess their operational needs and respond to global threat environment,” Bardsley said.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/12/10/rcmp-aware-of-report-about-toronto-terror-threat.html
The RCMP says media reports from Switzerland about possible ISIS-linked threats against Canadian cities, including Toronto, are being taken “very seriously.”
But Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says Canada has not increased its security alert level after reports from European news outlets of a potential terror plot that might have involved Canadian cities.
“There is no change in the status of the alerts and so forth, but we will remain vigilant,” Goodale told reporters Thursday. “Nobody is taking anything for granted, but there is nothing available to us at this moment that would . . . cause any change in status.”
Goodale was commenting on reports out of Switzerland Thursday concerning a manhunt involving four men alleged to be ISIS sympathizers. The Swiss newspaper Tribune de Genève reported that a journalist had seen a police document concerning an investigation into the four unnamed men, which indicated that Geneva, Toronto and Chicago were being targeted for attacks.
According to the newspaper, United States intelligence services had provided information to Swiss authorities.
Other news from European outlets referred to a video in which another suspect allegedly talked about attacks in Geneva, Vancouver and Ottawa.
The Toronto Star could not independently verify any threat.
A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police would say only it was aware of reports about “potential threats against certain Canadian cities.”
“The safety and security of Canadian citizens is of the utmost importance to the RCMP, and we take these threats very seriously,” Sgt. Harold Pfleiderer wrote in an email.
Toronto police spokesperson Const. David Hopkinson said the force is aware of the media reports out of Switzerland, but would not say if Toronto police had increased security for operational reasons.
“If there was a reason to be concerned, we have a plan in place to deal with it,” Hopkinson said. “We monitor these threats and we take them seriously and we prepare for any eventuality.”
Swiss officials launched an investigation Wednesday after gathering intelligence about a terror attack being planned in Geneva, the federal public safety ministry said in a statement. An official from Geneva’s public safety department told the Star that she could not comment while the investigation was ongoing.
Scott Bardsley, a spokesperson for Goodale, said the government monitors “all potential threats and has robust measures in place to address them.”
“Canada’s security agencies work closely with allies and key partners to continuously reassess their operational needs and respond to global threat environment,” Bardsley said.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2015/12/10/rcmp-aware-of-report-about-toronto-terror-threat.html
