The Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) says evolving forms of violent extremism are becoming increasingly difficult to address, with secret online radicalization challenging investigators.
CSIS's annual report warns violent extremism poses a significant threat to national security, fueled by a 'salad bar' of grievances. Religiously motivated extremism has spiked since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, with at least seven priority investigations linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. CSIS notes a rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The agency flags nihilistic violent extremism targeting youth, citing the March 2025 arrest of a Winnipeg man tied to Maniac Murder Cult. Foreign interference from China, India, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan remains a top concern, including cyberattacks and covert influence operations. CSIS is also boosting presence in the Arctic and protecting AI and quantum computing infrastructure.