The county’s domestic terror threat level was raised from low to medium over the weekend, a spokesman for the public safety minister has confirmed.
“The decision to raise the level is linked to an increase in general chatter from radical Islamist organizations like ISIL, al-Qaida, Al Shabaab and others who pose a clear threat to Canadians,” a statement provided to CP24 late Tuesday afternoon from the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness reads.
“This level means that intelligence has indicated that an individual or group within Canada or abroad has the intent and capability to commit an act of terrorism, and that the Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre assesses that a violent act of terrorism could occur.”
The increased threat level is not the result of a specific threat, the release said.
The system is described as an “internal tool” for security agencies to inform potential first responders of the current threat level in the country.
“Canadians should be vigilant, but they should continue to go about their lives,” the statement concludes.
