Pair accused of Canada Day terror plot at BC Legislature
Posted July 2, 2013 4:49 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – Two people accused of plotting to set off explosives during yesterday’s Canada Day celebrations at the BC Legislature in Victoria have been arrested on terrorism charges.
Amanda Korody and John Nuttall are accused of knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity and possession of an explosive substance.
Mounties say they were in control during the investigation and ensured that the devices could not be detonated and there was no danger to the public.
“Project Souvenir” was launched back in February.
RCMP say three pressure cookers were seized but Superintendent Wayne Rideout insists they made sure people were never at risk. “In order to ensure public safety, we employed a variety of complex investigative and covert techniques to control any opportunity the suspects had to commit harm.”
“This self-radicalized behaviour was intended to create maximum impact and harm to Canadian citizens at the BC legislature on a national holiday,” adds Rideout.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner James Malitzia says the pair doesn’t appear to have any links to foreign terror groups, but “our investigation revealed that these individuals were inspired by al-Qaida ideology.”
At a news conference this morning, Mounties displayed photos of suspected explosives made with pressure cookers that appeared similar to those used in the deadly Boston Marathon bombings.
Nuttall and Korody were arrested yesterday in Abbotsford; they are being held in custody in Surrey.
Premier Christy Clark had this to say to “anyone who would resort to terror”:
“You will not succeed in damaging our democratic institutions. But just as importantly, you will not succeed in tearing down the values that make this country strong.”
“They hope to change us. We will not change. We will remain Canadian, bound together by open hearts and optimism for the future of our country, our towns, our cities, our province, our families, and all of those we love.”
“They want us to be governed by fear. They want us to view each other with suspicion. They want us to be seized with anger. They want this because they hate the things that make us Canadian. They hate the values that make BC and Canada unique in the world.”
What safeguards are there at the Legislature?
OMNI TV Political Analyst Kim Emerson says Mounties do regular sweeps of the building.
“The RCMP go through the entire building and sweep the building for any variety of things… for suspicious packages, for bugs or listening devices… They go through and do a very thorough and diligent sweep of the entire building. They do the grounds, as well,” says Emerson.
He tells us the premier usually has at least two RCMP members by her side at all times while she’s on government business.
“They’re pretty easy to spot. There are others that you see from time to time around the buildings, as well. It’s well-monitored, there are things that go on on a regular basis to make sure that things aren’t happening that are out of the usual today,” he explains.
Emerson has been speaking with people around the Legislature today, and tells us they’re all in shock.
“It’s just like ‘Wow, that happened here? Holy smokes, what’s going on?’ That’s pretty much the standard reply you hear from an awful lot of people. They’re just absolutely amazed… glad that nothing happened, glad that no one’s hurt… but pretty amazed that it was here in Victoria.”
Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews applauded the work of the law enforcement agencies involved.
“Yesterday’s arrests demonstrate that terrorism continues to be a real threat to Canada,” Toews said in a statement.
“The RCMP has assured me that at no time during the course of this investigation was there an imminent risk to the safety of Canadians.
Fears of further terrorism are very low on the streets of Vancouver.
“The ones that try this stuff in Canada or in the States are generally born in Canada or the States — and they’re idiots. The real terrorists don’t blow up their own bases,” says Bob.
But Pushpa tells News1130 he is genuinely surprised anyone would apparently target the West Coast. “There are some people that just go out of their mind to harm society. It does surprise me. Canada is not siding with anybody or doing harm to anybody. Why would someone want to destroy their own city?”
