Violent Ideological, Political, Religious Radicals & Organised Crime Converging: Canada Report | Exclusive

Last Updated:September 06, 2025, 23:33 IST

News18 has accessed the ‘Terrorism and Organized Crime Convergence: Threat Assessment 2025’ report

The assessment highlights the convergence of ideologically, politically, and religiously motivated violent extremism with transnational organised crime, posing a significant challenge to Canadian national security. (Representational image)

Canada is facing an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape, as detailed in the “Terrorism and Organized Crime Convergence: Threat Assessment 2025″ report accessed by CNN-News18. 

The assessment highlights the convergence of ideologically, politically, and religiously motivated violent extremism with transnational organised crime, posing a significant challenge to Canadian national security.

Key Findings

Lone Actor Threats Dominate

Over the past decade, Canada has witnessed a pattern of low-sophistication, high-impact terrorist attacks primarily carried out by lone actors. These attackers, often radicalised online, utilised easily accessible weapons—such as vehicles or bladed instruments—and self-funded their operations. These incidents have resulted in at least 26 fatalities and over 40 injuries.

Radicalisation Drivers

The report identifies multiple drivers behind radicalisation in Canada, including:

• Xenophobia
• Anti-government and anti-authority sentiment
• Disinformation and social isolation
• Misogynistic ideologies, including involuntary celibate (incel) movements
• Personal grievance-based violence

Online extremist echo chambers further accelerate radicalisation, complicating detection and intervention by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Terrorist Financing Networks

While lone actors rely on personal savings or familial support, organised extremist groups operate sophisticated funding networks. These include:

• Donations and membership fees
• Sale of merchandise
• Fundraising at events
• Criminal activities such as drug trafficking, arms trading, and theft
• Cryptocurrency and informal remittance systems, particularly as traditional crowdfunding platforms tighten restrictions

Canada-origin funds continue to reach globally sanctioned terror groups, notably Hezbollah, Hamas, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). 

According to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Hezbollah is the second most frequently identified international terrorist group receiving funds from Canadian sources.

Designation of Criminal Cartels as Terrorist Entities

In a landmark move in February 2025, Canada designated seven transnational organised crime groups as terrorist entities, including:

• Cartel del Golfo
• Cartel de Sinaloa
• La Familia Michoacana
• Carteles Unidos
• La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
• Tren de Aragua
• Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG)

This designation aims to enhance Canada’s ability to disrupt illicit financing, money laundering, and domestic fundraising networks supporting terrorism.

Global Linkages and International Implications

The report underscores the growing overlap between Canadian extremist groups and international terrorist organisations. Politically and religiously motivated extremists in Canada maintain financial ties with foreign groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, BKI, and ISYF. These ties are sustained through fundraising activities disguised as religious or cultural charity work—particularly within diaspora communities.

The presence of groups like Babbar Khalsa International and ISYF in Canada poses a direct threat to India’s internal security, according to Indian intelligence sources. These networks sustain separatist narratives and fund radical propaganda that undermines India’s sovereignty. The exploitation of Canada’s financial systems by these groups reveals serious vulnerabilities in the country’s counter-terrorism finance regime.

India has expressed deep concerns about the Canadian soil being used to finance anti-India operations. The alignment of anti-India elements with broader global terror infrastructure—especially in West Asia—is viewed as a critical national security issue.

Government Response and Strategic Needs

To address the growing threat, Canadian authorities are:

• Expanding surveillance and financial scrutiny of diaspora-linked fundraising networks
• Cracking down on terrorist use of cryptocurrency and informal financial systems
• Enhancing international intelligence collaboration
• Strengthening legal frameworks to classify and prosecute terrorist-linked organised crime entities

Conclusion

Intelligence sources say Canada’s terrorism threat environment is becoming increasingly multifaceted. The convergence of domestic radicalisation, international extremist financing, and transnational organised crime presents a serious challenge to national and global security. 

A comprehensive, coordinated response—both domestically and internationally—is now more crucial than ever.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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