The Canadian government said on Wednesday that it would take steps to counter any potential threats following a report saying workers at Montreal's airport had been radicalised.

“The security and safety of all Canadians in airports and elsewhere remains a priority for this government. And we'll continue to work with all partners to ensure that our airports remain secure,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

According to the Journal de Montreal newspaper, at least four workers at the Montreal international airport had their security clearances revoked after showing signs of radicalisation.

They reportedly had viewed online propaganda for the Islamic State group and visited websites that describe how to make a bomb.

Opposition Conservative MP Tony Clement called the reports “troubling” and called for an immediate investigation.

He also called for security to be stepped up while reminding of “the need to be ever vigilant against the threat of radical Islamic terrorism.”

Transport Minister Marc Garneau assured that the government “takes security matters very seriously and will not hesitate to take appropriate action to mitigate risks and respond to any threats, when identified, to the transportation system.”

He added that workers in the transport sector with security clearances are subject to continuous vetting and their access to restricted areas is “verified daily in a police database.”

He noted that more than 1,100 Canadian airport workers have been refused or have had their clearance revoked for one reason or another over the past two years.

Opinion

Editorial

Plugging the gap
06 May, 2024

Plugging the gap

IN Pakistan, bias begins at birth for the girl child as discriminatory norms, orthodox attitudes and poverty impede...
Terrains of dread
Updated 06 May, 2024

Terrains of dread

Restored faith in the police is unachievable without political commitment and interprovincial support.
Appointment rules
Updated 06 May, 2024

Appointment rules

If the judiciary had the power to self-regulate, it ought to have exercised it instead of involving the legislature.
Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....