Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney says the arrests of 10 young Montrealers suspected of trying to join jihadist groups overseas is proof the laws put in place by the Conservative government are effective.

"These kinds of laws are helping police officers to do the kind of operation they did and keep us safe and prevent us from exporting terrorists who, once back, could represent an even bigger threat," Blaney said.

The RCMP's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team arrested the suspects at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport in Montreal over the weekend.

No charges have been laid, but police confiscated the passports of all 10 "radicalized youths," Mounties said.

Blaney didn't confirm that family members tipped off authorities but said they were "involved" with the local police.

"I feel relieved that we were able to intervene to intercept those individuals, but also it tells us how much we have to remain vigilant on the terrorist threat on our very own ground," he said Wednesday.

"It's always shocking to see especially young individuals (going) to travel to commit terrorist attacks," he said.

Blaney didn't comment further on the suspects or the nature of the threat, saying those are "operational matters" for the RCMP to discuss.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and they won't release the suspects' identities or any information that led to their arrests.

Police said investigators have met with the families of the suspects.

"These are very difficult times for the relatives and loved ones of the persons arrested, as the decision to leave the country was not that of the family but of a single family member. As a result, family members often find themselves at a complete loss and unable to understand the decision made by the youth," RCMP said.