My national security policy deals with the real and present threat of terrorism at home and abroad.

I believe the first duty of any government is the safety and security of their citizens.

Public Safety Canada’s recent “2016 Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada” confirms Canada remains at risk from terrorism.

On Sunday, we marked the 15th anniversary of the September, 2001 attacks on the United States, in which 24 Canadians lost their lives.

Canada is no stranger to terrorism. One of the worst terrorist attacks prior to 9/11 was the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in which 331 people lost their lives, the vast majority of whom were Canadian citizens. This plan was cultivated in Canada by Canadians.

We must learn the lessons from this bombing and the Air India Commission's report, as well as the Public Safety Canada report, which acknowledges the "serious and unfortunate reality that terrorist groups, most notably ISIS, use violent extremist propaganda to encourage individuals to support their cause."

In spite of the fact that we have had 180 Canadians supporting jihadist movements abroad, 60 who have returned and are on the streets and over 93 who have been seeking to leave since 2014, we have had very few convictions.

At the same time, we have had 683 cases of terrorism financing flagged by Fintrac and not one charge. Canadian charities that are linked to terrorism have also gotten away without criminal repercussions.

My national security plan calls for:

A new Counter-Terrorism Secretariat responsible for investigating and prosecuting terrorism cases

Prosecution of those who are seeking to advance the interests of terrorist groups and for those who promote, honour or praise terrorists or terrorist acts with the intention of inducing others to supporting terrorism

Prohibiting foreign funds from entering Canada, where the donors or recipients are linked to radicalization. Extra focus will be placed on extremism- and terrorism-connected jurisdictions such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar

An independent agency to oversee and monitor all charities in order to ensure they do not contribute to terrorism or radicalization

Publishing a terrorist “wanted" list and a “no-visit” list of well-defined terrorist sympathizers

A CSIS review of the Muslim Brotherhood and their associates in Canada

New programs to support families who report radicalization of related individuals, and new efforts to work with moderate mainstream Muslim Canadians to identify and counter the political-religious ideology fuelling Islamist fundamentalism

Enhanced funding for emergency preparedness, voluntary community policing, and developing resilience in critical infrastructure from natural disasters or human-based threats, including those associated with electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and cyber-attacks

Enhanced screening of immigrants and foreign nationals who are seeking to travel to Canada by utilizing technology, implementing a full entry and exit registry for all travellers, and re-initiating face to face interviews for would be immigrants

Revoking Canadian citizenship for dual nationals who take up arms against Canada or for those sentenced for serious terms of imprisonment for terrorism offences

Finally, we will bring in real parliamentary engagement on our national security through a Joint Standing Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Oversight, not a committee handpicked and run by the Prime Minister and his advisors

My plan will take more supporters, financiers and promoters of terrorism off our streets and fewer recruits leaving Canada to spread terror at home and abroad. It will improve counter-terrorism planning while protecting Canadian citizenship and enhancing parliamentary accountability.

Our security forces will have the necessary tools to crack down on online recruitment of Canadians and to stem the flow of funds to Canada which contributes to radicalization.

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