Government Research Priorities for TSAS
TSAS works with a number of departments in government. During our first few months of operation we have met with representatives of these departments to learn about their priorities for research. This document provides a summary of these conversations and is provided to alert academic researchers to the questions that policy makers would like to see addressed. The list is incomplete and more dialogue is required to refine and develop some of the issues and questions. TSAS will be extending the conversations to this end in the near future. But researchers should note that although TSAS is an independent network the work our affiliates undertake will have greater resonance in policy circles if it is pursued with one or more of these issues or questions in mind.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
The RCMP is interested in research into a wide range of substantive concerns:
- network analysis as applied to terrorism and security issues
- terrorism financing
- role of law enforcement in counter-terrorism
- the engagement of communities under the prevent pillar of the “Securing an Open Society: Canada’s National Security Policy”
- how to prepare for a terrorist attack
- communication with communities and the public following an attack or arrest
- metrics for assessing the impact of enforcement activities, including metrics that take into account the different perspectives on any issue.
- foreign fighters: what are the motivations for Canadian citizens to go abroad and fight in conflicts?
- why do radicalized members of society not feel part of the general collective?
- the RCMP has a particular interest in understanding the emergence of the “Freemen-on-the-land” movement in Canada (known in the US as “Sovereignists”, which is NOT the same as “Sovereigntists” in Canada!)
Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
Three primary concerns with many sub-aspects emerged from conversation with CSIS officials:
- Understanding the nature and operation of the “narratives” that inspire and guide terrorism and the nature, role, and feasibility of any counter-narratives. More specifically greater understanding of:
- the prospects for right wing extremism in Canada
- the use of language, imagery, music, etc. to shape peoples’ worldview towards violent extremism
- the unique national characteristics of the narratives supporting homegrown terrorism and violent radicalization, and more particularly the relationship between narratives from abroad and those developed within Canadian homegrown groups
- the mechanisms and processes by which these narratives work
- the effectiveness of counter-narratives and different approaches
- how these narratives are affected by the removal or disappearance of (claimed or perceived) key drivers for terrorism (e.g., the withdrawal of combat troops from Afghanistan)
- the impact the end of authoritarian rulers in the Middle East and North Africa on Al Qaeda and its affiliates, in terms of their narratives, organizational structures, and operational capabilities.
- the nature of its appeal
- the use and the impact of social media for such groups
- the links between Canadian groups and those in the US and/or Europe
- whether recent increases in activity is rooted in anti-Islamic sentiments or something else
- the possible links between the rise in right-wing extremism and radicalization and the reciprocal radicalization of other groups and communities.
- Right wing extremism has increased in the US and Europe in recent years, but what is happening in Canada? Can we gain a better grasp of:
- the prospects for right wing extremism in Canada
- its drivers
- the nature of its appeal
- the use and the impact of social media for such groups
- the links between Canadian groups and those in the US and/or Europe
- whether recent increases in activity is rooted in anti-Islamic sentiments or something else
- the possible links between the rise in right-wing extremism and radicalization and the reciprocal radicalization of other groups and communities.
3. In the context of radicalization, what role, if any, do individual personality traits play in radicalization – Canadian and comparative studies would be of interest in this realm.
Transport Canada
Transport Canada has an extensive list of specific topics:
- tools for strategic risk assessment
- insider threats
- risk-based passenger and baggage screening
- maritime security
- information sharing within the marine security environment
- cargo security
- perimeter security (Canada-US)
- integrated cargo security (North America)
- preclearance
- capacity-building within the transportation industry
- terrorist targeting strategies and tactics
- surveillance activities
- mitigation approaches
- cyber threats to transport systems
- performance metrics
- cost-effective alternatives to regulation
- the effects of the ‘Beyond the Border’ strategy on trade and security
- societal acceptance of risk-based systems.
Justice Canada
Officials at Justice Canada have highlighted the following more delimited set of concerns:
- the response of the justice system to victims of terrorism
- the challenges of responding to multi-victim incidents (i.e. recognition of and approaches to differentiation among the victims)
- the experience of other states with, and their approaches to, victims of terrorism
- delivering information to victims
- availability of information in a 24/7 and international environment, including lessons from the Air India bombing and the subsequent Air India Inquiry
- improving the interaction of victims with the criminal justice system.
Public Safety Canada
There are six primary foci for research:
1. There are a number of legal concerns:
- how to achieve the best balance between the right to disclosure and the protection of information with respect to national security
- the extent to which the Government should (a) disclose to the courts, and (b) disclose to the defendant
- the efficiency of the disclosure system
- the necessity and impact of data fusion
- creating new legal authorities for information sharing while protecting the privacy of persons
- the definition of ‘national security’ in various legal contexts
- the availability of information and data from administrative processes for law enforcement purposes
- the extra-territorial application of the Charter and its impact
- accountability for intelligence collection and national security activities.
2. What is Canada doing right? Canada has suffered less terrorism than some of its closest allies and the question is what policies and programs have led to this relative success:
- Why are there, or have there been, fewer violent radicals in Canada?
- What programs, policies or mechanisms – within and beyond the security domain – are the crucial ones to keep?
- What are communities doing well in the effort to prevent and counter terrorism?
- Or is there too much emphasis on communities and their role in counter-terrorism and counter-radicalization?
3. How should we assess and deal with the issues of risk and effectiveness? Policymakers need to achieve public goods (i.e. security), and have a set of levers (laws, regulations, programs, etc.) to do so. But what is the best way to proceed? While some states focus on threats, an approach based on risk offers policymakers a way to more effectively use limited resources. If we know what makes someone cross the line to violence, CSIS and the RCMP can concentrate their efforts accordingly. Thus, in terms of risk assessment, how narrow should such assessments be, and what, or who’s, risk are we addressing? Do risk assessments drive pragmatism and what is the impact of pragmatism? What problems should be the primary concerns of the security community? What trade-offs are acceptable in security and non-security environments – what are we willing to give up, given competing demands to invest across a range of policy imperatives?
4. What does success look like? It will not be a complete elimination of threats. How then should we measure the effectiveness of counter-terrorism policies? What is, or should be, the baseline for such assessments? What are the more accurate definitions of the problems involved (with terrorism and counter-terrorism)? How do we attribute causality in the “soft” world of terrorism prevention?
5. What role does religion play in terrorism and the facilitation of violent radicalization?
6. What does the sociology of the internet and social media have to tell us about how relationships form, and how influence works online that would allow us to better understand the role of these communication media in the process of radicalization leading to violence?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)
CIC’s primary interest is in the further study of issues of social inclusion and exclusion in Canadian society; youth and youth radicalization; the impact of Canadian counter-terrorism measures and media coverage on youth and their sense of belonging, with regard to different cultural, religious, and social group perspectives.
Financial Transactions Report Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)
As an overarching theme, FINTRAC is interested in developing knowledge on emerging issues. Key topics include: exploring the workings of the global financial system from a Canadian perspective; defining the rules for normal financial activities in industries that might be abused for money laundering and terrorist financing; producing a typology of criminal proceeds and the financing of terrorism; assessing financial strategy decision-making within terrorist organizations and cells; and improving FINTRAC’s analytical capabilities.
Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)
CBSA is interested in acquiring information to improve:
- the detection, monitoring, and control of strategic exports that are destined for terrorist purposes elsewhere
- the detection, monitoring and control of imported items that could be used for illegal and violent purposes in Canada
- the interdiction of foreign nationals with links to terrorism.