MONTREAL — Prime Minister Stephen Harper confirmed his government's intentions to give the RCMP new powers and more resources to fight terrorism — and he did so Thursday at the same airport where, days earlier, the RCMP prevented 10 young Canadians from getting on a plane to Syria to possibly become jihadists.

Harper, taking on the tone of a stern parent with a wayward teen, lectured other young people who might be lured by radical Internet propaganda into joining ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

"Obviously, we have great sympathy for the families that are affected, but let us be clear: We have a great country here that is unparalleled in terms of its freedom, its democracy, its openness and its tolerance," Harper said, standing in front of a giant Canadian flag and several RCMP and border services officers at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

"There is no legitimate reason of any kind in this country for someone to become a violent jihadist or a terrorist or to join any kind of group that is involved in or advocates that kind of activity. It is totally unacceptable to Canadians and unacceptable to this government."

This year's federal budget included an extra $150.4 million over the next five years for the RCMP to use on additional counterterrorism measures. The Canadian Border Services Agency is getting an additional $5.4 million over five years.

But while there's little controversy over the extra money, there has been significant pushback on new counterterrorism powers that law enforcement authorities are being given.

Harper's counterterrorism bill, C-51, now before the Senate, has riled even some small-c conservative groups who believe it could allow security agencies to disrupt or spy on protesters and political dissidents.

The NDP voted against the bill while the Liberals voted in its favour but vowed to change some of its provisions should they form government this fall.