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The government has been touting two messages this fall: that Canada is threatened by terrorist groups, but security agencies like CSIS have already managed to thwart all significant plots.

Blaney told the House public safety committee last week that he would propose new legislation to monitor terrorists, but refused to say what a new bill would entail.

“Legislation is being prepared to adjust to the reality of the terrorist threat we are facing in this country,” he said. “In the situation where we see a direct threat to Canada through terrorist organizations — and specifically the Islamic State — we need to be able to table legislation that clearly defines the mandate and also enables the agencies to appropriately protect Canadians.”

At last week’s committee meeting, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said his agency was investigating 63 national security cases linked to terrorism and involving 90 people.

CSIS Director Michel Coulombe also said last week that more than 130 individuals had travelled abroad to engage in terror-related activities, while 80 had returned to Canada — the same numbers the agency reported in February.

Liberal public safety critic Wayne Easter — who wasn’t aware of the specifics of the upcoming bill — said he’d support giving CSIS more powers, as long as they balance justice for accused terrorists.

“We have to find a way to give these people justice under the law so you’re not falsely accusing people. They need some way to defend themselves,” said Easter, who served as Solicitor General in 2002, after the government implemented security measures to respond to the 9/11 terror attacks. “But also from a government and a policing perspective, you can’t jeopardize your informants or your techniques in getting information.”