The murders of two unarmed Canadian soldiers Patrice Vincent and Nathan Cirillo within a short 72 hour period by Jihadists/terrorists have shocked Canadians. Unfortunately this is not the first time Canada has had to confront terrorism. The FLQ kidnappers and murderers, Air India bombers and the Toronto 18 were all terrorists. But this is the first time Her Majesty's loyal opposition, in this case the NDP, and specifically its leader Thomas Mulcair is finding it difficult to brand Michael Zehaf-bibeau a terrorist and his actions terrorism.
Zehaf -bibeau mowed down Nathan Cirillo and continued his rampage into the Center Block of the Parliament Buildings until he was shot and killed. Even before we knew about the video he has left behind there was enough evidence for us to believe his actions amounted to terrorism. The video tells us why he was committing this act of terror. The RCMP head Bob Paulson says Zehaf-bibeau was lucid, deliberate and committed this act of terror for ideological, religious and political reasons. The definition of terrorism in the Criminal Code of Canada contains a reference to these motives. I was convinced it was an act of terror as was the attack in Saint-Jean-sur-Richilieuin. I said so in many interviews on the day of the Ottawa tragedy and ultimately in my blog 48 hours later on October 24. My sense of having dealt with extremism and terrorism for at least the last 30 years told me in no uncertain terms it was terrorism. I did not look to the RCMP or some legal expert to tell me what it was.
Mulcair is refusing to brand the Ottawa killer a terrorist and his actions terrorism. His argument is based on Zehaf-bibeau's criminal past, mental health issues and the apparent lack of an organised group of terrorists involved in or behind his actions. Mulcair takes this position despite it being clear this man was an ISIS inspired bad actor who recorded a video, got hold of a gun, bought a car, killed Cirillo, proceeded to the center block, commandeered a ministerial car, entered the house, shot a guard in the leg and was killed before he could kill or injure anybody else. He attacked the heart of our political system and those that that are charged with defending us. His actions were clear, focused and deliberate. He did it for religious, political and ideological reasons He was a terrorist.
Mulcair's/NDP position does not surprise me. I always knew the federal NDP could never get past their touchy-feely and mushy thinking on serious national issues. With the totally indefensible NDP position on this important national issue Mulcair and the federal NDP stand diminished.