While calling for increased border security and a tougher stance on terrorism, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters that his government would welcome immigrants, but only after careful vetting.
Standing by a banner that read “Ban the Terrorists” at a press conference in Toronto, Poilievre called on the Canadian government to classify the Houthis in Yemen as a terrorist entity. The United States has listed the Houthis as a terrorist entity since January.
He argued that the Houthis are a proxy for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Yemen and could be used by the banned IRGC to terrorize Canadians.
This comes days after Poilievre joined calls to list Samidoun, a group that organized protests where speakers shouted “Death to Canada” and its allies, as a terrorist entity in Canada.
During the conference, Poilievre noted several foiled terror plots in Canada as a result of lax border security and the threat the Houthis pose to national security and diaspora communities as a front for the IRGC, a recently recognized terrorist entity by Canada.
“The Houthis can operate in our country. We don’t know if they have because we don’t have laws to stop or even surveil it,” he said.
He noted that the Houthis are a subsidiary of the IRGC, much as are Hezbollah and Hamas.
“Since October 7, the terrorist attacks, Houthi terrorists have disregarded international law,” Poilievre said.
According to the US press release on the organization, since the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, the Houthis have launched “unprecedented attacks” against international maritime vessels and military forces positioned to defend them in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Poilievre said such an organization should not be legally allowed to operate in Canada, which he argued would allow the IRGC, through its proxy, to intimidate diaspora communities and carry out its plans on Canadian soil.
“All Canadians deserve to feel safe,” he said. “They deserve to know that they will not be targeted by terrorist groups that operate here, money launder money here, finance organized crime here and foment hatred here.”
Public Safety Canada did not respond to True North’s requests for comment before the deadline provided.
When asked if Canada should welcome refugees from Gaza in light of recent terror threats by migrants, Poilievre said only those who have been thoroughly vetted should be allowed into the country.
“All of their background and affiliations need to be clearly vetted,” he said.
Among other concerns on accepting asylum seekers from Gaza, critics of the plan have said that due to a lack of infrastructure in the terrorist Hamas-controlled Gaza, it is “impossible” to vet individuals from the region in security screenings properly.
He noted the alleged foiled terrorist plot of Ahmed Eldidi, 62 and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, in which the father was allegedly involved in a gory ISIS dismembering video before being welcomed into the country.
As another example of supposed irresponsible border policy, Poilievre mentioned a foiled terror plot in September from an international student from Pakistan in Canada, Mohammad Shahzeb Khan, who allegedly was plotting to slaughter as many Jewish civilians as possible in New York.
“Justin Trudeau has lost control of our borders; his radical ideology, his total incompetence and his appalling border policies are dangerous to the country,” Poilievre said. “When I am Prime Minister, yes, we will welcome immigrants, but we will do so by vetting, security and their lawfulness, ensuring that the people who come here are safe and our citizens are likewise safe.”