Man arrested after 2 attacked at Canadian Forces office in Toronto: Police

DND still conducting full security review 18 months after ISIS-inspired attacks

OTTAWA -- National Defence launched a full-scale review of security at its installations, including recruiting centres, following the terror attacks of October 2014 -- an assessment that officials said Tuesday is still ongoing.
The wounding of two uniformed soldiers in north Toronto this week is the second violent incident to take place at a military centre.
Defence officials undertook a full review of what's known in army lingo as its "force protection posture" following the Oct. 20, 2014 attack in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., which killed Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.
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The 53-year-old soldier and a companion were run down by a "radicalized" Martin Rouleau outside a federal building that offers support to Canadian military veterans and other personnel. Vincent was killed and the second soldier was injured.
Rouleau, 25, fled the scene but was later shot dead after a pursuit in which his car rolled over. Friends said he had become increasingly radicalized.
The defence department did not advertise its security review, but one of the country's senior operational commanders -- Maj.-Gen. Christopher Coates --testified about it before a House of Commons committee four months after the deaths of Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, on Oct. 22, 2014, who was gunned down at the foot of the National War Memorial.
Almost 18 months down the road, defence spokesman Capt. Thomas Edelson said the review has yet to be finalized.

"There is currently a full scale review underway that examines the CAF's Force Protection procedures which is not yet complete," Edelson said. "Canada employs a whole-of-government approach to continually assess and respond to security threats and hazards."
Edelson was unable to say Tuesday why the review -- seen as urgent in the aftermath of the Islamic State-inspired attacks -- was taking so long.
Even still, the country's top military commander, Gen. Jonathan Vance, moved to reassure both members in uniform and the public that security at installations was top of mind.
"While investigative authorities continue their work in this very important matter, the Canadian Armed Forces will continue to adapt Force Protection measures to ensure the ongoing safety of our personnel across Canada," Vance said in a statement. "Their safety and well-being is, as always, our primary concern."
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said many recruiting centres are "storefront operations" that must balance security and accessibility for the public.
"I'm sure DND of all departments would make sure security arrangements were always appropriate," he said.
Following the deaths of Vincent and Cirillo, former chief of defence staff retired general Tim Lawson recommended personnel not wear uniforms in public -- something that didn't sit well with some soldiers, who complained that it made it look as though they were hiding.
Vance will not be issuing a similar directive.
"As usual, we will not discuss the specifics of these measures," he said. "However, under current circumstances, our men and women will continue to proudly wear their uniforms in public."
In his testimony before Parliament, Coates said the review was a priority because the military's policies and doctrine for dealing with homegrown terrorism were outdated.
He even predicted a swift resolution.

"Our previous directives pre-dated the kind of threat that we see today out on the street, so we're going through a process right now," Coates said on Feb. 23, 2015.
"It should bear fruit for us in the next few weeks, couple of months, where we'll be internally having a different method to assess and respond to the threat organizationally."
Coates insisted that National Defence was "very, very conscientious about threats today."

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/dnd-still-conducting-full-security-review-18-months-after-isis-inspired-attacks-1.2818794

Prawnstar I hear what your saying , I just heard that CDS has just said that all armed service personnel are to continue to wear their uniforms in public.
But your absolutely correct in this day an age we all have to keep our guard up , especially those wearing the uniform.

Now our tax dollars will have to provide room & board to this guy who committed this act , how ironic is that.

My thoughts are, anything that identifies or distinguishes me from the general public makes me a potential target. Hyper vigilant, yes but maybe that's a good thing in these times.

Trump! Enough said!

But in all seriousness, should we start hiding our identity as a Veteran in our own country?

Like it or not, it is the new world we live in. BZ soldiers! Always standing on guard for thee is a must ((FLEE OR FIGHT! WE FIGHT!)). It is our job as soldiers to keep our land glorious and free! No matter what political arseholes hold power period.
When did Canada change? No wonder I do not want to leave my home.
See, I am not delusional or paranoid, it continues to happen.
Why am I on super vigilance and on high alert since Sept 11. Another wake up call?
Time to ditch the Veterans Plates off my car....might as well be a sitting duck.
Trojan Horse.

Man stabs two Canadian Forces members at government building

A 27-year-old man is under arrest after two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were attacked with a knife at a forces recruiting office in North York on Monday afternoon.
Around 2:45 p.m., a man walked into the recruiting detachment at 4900 Yonge St. carrying a knife and attacked a Canadian Armed Forces officer working at the front desk, National Defence said in a statement. He suffered non-life threatening injuries. A second Armed Forces member suffered a minor injury while confining the man, and both victims were taken to hospital.
About seven or eight Armed Forces members immediately jumped on the assailant and subdued him until police arrived, Toronto Police chief Mark Saunders told reporters at a press conference Monday night.
Saunders said investigators are not ruling out terror as a possible motive behind the attack. While in custody, the suspect, who has not been named, made “certain comments” which have caused “some concern,” Saunders said.
The suspect has been taken to a mental health hospital to be evaluated.
According to the office of the Minister of National Defence, there were no warning signs before the attack.
“No suspicious activity had been observed by Canadian Armed Forces members who work in that location prior to the incident. CAF members will continue to exercise vigilance and apply the necessary force protection measures.”
More information on the attack, including details about the suspect and potential charges, are expected today, Saunders said.

Toronto police have called in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police to help with the investigation.
Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan said in a statement on Twitter, “My thoughts are with the Canadian Forces members injured today in Toronto, and with those who responded bravely in the face of danger.”
Dan Brien, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, said the minister was aware of the reports and said his thoughts are with the victims and their families. However, Brien said the minister would not comment on “operational details.”
CSIS spokesperson Tahera Mufti said, “CSIS is aware of a stabbing incident in Toronto. As this situation is presently under investigation by Toronto Police, the Service does not have any comment.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a statement Monday night he "”was saddened to hear that two Canadian Forces members were injured in what appears to be an unprovoked attack at a recruiting centre in North York. My office has spoken to Chief Saunders and is advised that Toronto Police are investigating with the assistance of federal authorities. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, I would like to wish those injured a speedy and full recovery.”
The Joseph Shepard Building at 4900 Yonge St., just north of Sheppard Ave., is a large, 51,485 square-metre building that houses a number of federal services. Besides the Canadian Forces recruitment officer, there is a branch of Service Canada and offices for Employment and Social Development Canada.
The recruitment office where the attacks took place is in an open area just off of the main foyer on the first floor and is accessible to the general public.

The incident immediately stirred memories of the attacks in 2014 that left two soldiers dead. Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, 53, died after being run down in a hit-and-run attack in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal on Oct. 20, 2014. A second soldier was injured in the attack that occurred in the parking lot outside of a federal building that offers support to Canadian military veterans and other personnel. Officials said the attacker Martin Rouleau had become radicalized. He was shot by police a short distance away from the scene.
Two days later, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was gunned down while standing sentry duty at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The gunman, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, then crossed the street to Parliament Hill, forcing his way into Centre Block where he was brought down in a volley of gunfire. In a video filmed just before the shooting, Zehaf-Bibeau declared himself part of the mujahedeen out to retaliate for Canada's military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In the wake of those two attacks, security was stepped up at military bases across the country and some personnel were advised to avoid wearing their uniforms in public.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2016/03/14/man-stabs-two-canadian-forces-members-at-government-building.html

Police say a man has been arrested after walking into a Canadian Forces recruiting office armed with a knife and allegedly stabbing two Forces members in an incident being investigated for possible terrorist activity.

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders says the 27-year-old walked into the office around 3:30 p.m. Monday and attacked a person in uniform behind the counter.

“The attack was unprovoked,” Saunders said Monday night outside the building at Yonge Street and Greenfield Avenue, just north of Sheppard Avenue.

“Potential terrorist activity is one of the angles we are looking at,” he added.

Toronto police are working with RCMP, CSIS and Ontario Provincial Police in their investigation, Saunders noted.

The RCMP don’t expect any further incidents to occur in connection with the case, according to a statement from Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale.

“While it is premature to comment as an investigation is ongoing, the information the RCMP has at this point suggests this is an isolated incident and that there is no imminent threat to public safety,” he said. “Canadians can be assured that their police and security agencies are fully engaged and are discharging their responsibilities.”

Saunders says other uniformed employees subdued the man.

“We’re very fortune that the Canadian Forces, through their training, responded, reacted, and as a result I can tell you the chances of this being much more severe, much more serious, definitely would have occurred,” Saunders said.

Saunders added that another man was stabbed in the process, and that a total of two Canadian Forces members were attacked. He said they suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The police chief said the alleged attacker made remarks during the incident, but declined to elaborate or identify the man, saying only he is in hospital.

“Certain comments were made by this gentleman… that has caused some concern,” he said.

The Department of National Defence says there’s no indication of previous “suspicious activity” in the area or at the facility.

“CAF members will continue to exercise vigilance and apply the necessary force protection measures,” the DND said in a statement.
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“The Canadian Armed Forces are continually adapting Force Protection measures to meet the demands of an evolving security environment. The safety and well-being of DND/CAF personnel is a primary concern.”

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said via Twitter his thoughts are with those injured in the incident as well as those who jumped in to assist.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2577827/man-arrested-after-2-stabbed-at-canadian-forces-office-in-toronto/