Recent U.S. military action against Iran has raised understandable questions among Canadians. Canada’s police leaders want to reassure the public that, based on current intelligence, there is no indication of any imminent threat to Canada or Canadians.

Police services across the country remain fully engaged with federal, provincial and international partners to monitor developments. Protecting the safety and security of our communities is our highest priority.

Experience shows that periods of geopolitical tension can sometimes inspire extremist networks, hate-motivated individuals or proxy-related threat actors to exploit these situations to incite hate-fuelled violence. While there is no specific threat at this time, awareness and early reporting are essential components of prevention.

Canada’s Counter-terrorism Strategy is built on four pillars: Prevent, Detect, Deny and Respond. Early identification of suspicious activity, combined with responsible information sharing that protects privacy and civil liberties, helps ensure timely and measured intervention when required.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police encourages Canadians to participate in its If You See Something, Say Something® campaign. The campaign invites the public to report suspicious activity that is grounded in observable behaviours, never assumptions based on race, religion, ethnicity or other protected characteristics. A single occurrence may seem minor, but when combined with other information, it can help authorities assess and address potential risks.

If you observe behaviours such as unattended packages in sensitive or unusual locations, attempts to access restricted areas without authorization, or other activities that appear suspicious, report them to local law enforcement. Information about potential threats to national security, including signs of terrorist planning or radicalization to violence, can also be reported to the RCMP’s National Security Information Network, either online or by calling 1-800-420-5805.

Public safety is a shared responsibility. By remaining aware and reporting concerns appropriately, Canadians play an important role in helping the police keep communities safe.

-30-

Media contact:

Natalie Wright, Communications Manager, natalie@cacp.ca, 613.838.8807