ENCYCLOPEDIA OF Espionage, Intelligence, and Security Volume ...

Canada, Counter-Terrorism PolicyBerlin, for instance, a situation in which it was virtuallyimpossible for agents to cross sides and pass documentswithout attracting attention. Instead, they could simplysend mail containing microdots, which were so small thatthey would, in most instances, evade detection.The East Germans designed a microdot camera aboutthe size of the end joint on an average man’s thumb. Itcould produce microdots smaller than a typical letter orcharacter in a book. East German designers also createdan ingenious microdot viewer that could be concealed in afountain pen. Additionally, German intelligence servicesof both the Nazi and communist eras were known for theirmicrodot concealment devices, which included a man’sring used in World War II (with the microdot hidden in asecret chamber atop the ring), as well as a postwar coindesigned with a secret chamber.❚ FURTHER READING:BOOKS:Babington-Smith, Constance. Evidence in Camera: TheStory of Photographic Intelligence in World War II. NewtonAbbott, England: David and Charles, 1974.Melton, H. Keith. The Ultimate Spy Book. New York: DKPublishing, 1996.Pritchard, Michael, and Douglas St. Denny. Spy Camera: ACentury of Detective and Subminiature Cameras. London:Classic Collection, 1993.SEE ALSOPhotographic Resolution❚ BRIAN HOYLECanada, Counter-Terrorism PolicyCanada’s measures to respond to or prevent terroristactivities have their origin in the October Crisis of 1970. Atthat time, a minister in the government of the Canadianprovince of Quebec and the British trade commissionerwere kidnapped by members of a radical organizationwho advocated the separation of Quebec from Canada.The minister, Pierre Laporte, was killed by his captors.One response of the federal government was to invokean act of Parliament that temporarily revoked manydemocratic freedoms of Canadians in the interest of nationalsecurity. As well, the Royal Canadian MountedPolice (RCMP) began a campaign of investigation andinfiltration of the separatist organization and other perceiveddomestic terrorist organizations.This counter-terrorism function shifted to the CanadianSecurity Intelligence Agency (CSIS) upon its establishmentin 1984.In the 1980s and 1990s, terrorism in Canada involvedreligious extremists (mainly Islamic groups), political activitiessurrounding the separation of states in India, SriLanka, Ireland, and the Middle East, and the activities ofgroups opposed to abortion, animal rights, and globalization.CSIS and other law enforcement agencies inthe country assumed responsibility for the investigation ofsuch incidents and prevention of further domestic violence.A full-scale government counter-terrorism policydid not yet exist.The September 2001 terrorist attacks on the WorldTrade Center and the Pentagon in the United Statesprompted Canada to formulate policies to address thepossibilities of terrorist movement through Canada to theU.S. and the presence of terrorist bases of operation inCanada. As well, Canadian officials were concerned thatCanada might itself become a target of terrorism.Canadian counter-terrorism policy involves severalfederal government departments and agencies. CSIS hasassumed a prominent role in its capacity as an intelligence-gatheringagency and as an advisor concerningpossible national security threats. In the 1990s, some 80%of CSIS resources were devoted to counter-intelligencewith only 20% dedicated to counter-terrorism. As of 2002,this ratio is reversed. Public safety has become the priorityof CSIS.The Threat Assessement Unit in the Counter-terrorismBranch of CSIS collects and evaluates informationabout domestic and international terrorism. This informationis passed on to other government departments toinitiate specific action (i.e., tightening of Canada-UnitedStates cross-border security by the departments of Citizenshipand Immigration, and Transport). Information isalso gathered prior to major international events to behosted by Canada, which could become the target ofterrorist activity.CSIS, in combination with Citizenship and ImmigrationCanada, has tightened the screening of citizenshipand refugee applicants, and has streamlined the reviewprocess for applicants in order to speed up approval ordeportation. The rights of an applicant to appeal havebeen limited if their claim is rejected on their grounds ofnational security. Prior association with a recognized terroristorganization is a legal reason for refusal of entry toCanada and immediate deportation.The United States-Canada border is the longestundefended national border in the world. Movement ofterrorists across the border, particularly from Canada intothe U.S., has not been difficult. As of late 2002, the Canadiangovernment has taken steps to increase border security,searches of vehicles, and is developing joint strategiesof border security with the United States.Canada was one of the first countries to implementResolution 1373 (2001) of the United Nations Security160 Encyclopedia of Espionage, Intelligence, and Security