OTTAWA — The federal New Democrats have joined the Opposition Conservatives in calling for a parliamentary committee to investigate how a man with alleged ISIS ties was able to enter Canada.
The RCMP say Ahmed Eldidi is a Canadian citizen, but Global News has reported, based on unnamed sources, that the 62-year-old immigrated to Canada after having allegedly committing violence against an ISIS prisoner, according to a video released by the terrorist group.
Postmedia has not viewed the video. The RCMP have charged Eldidi with aggravated assault, which stems from an incident that happened outside of Canada and was tied to ISIS.
Last week, the RCMP charged Eldidi and his 26-year-old son Mostafa Eldidi with numerous terrorism charges following their arrest in a Richmond Hill hotel. Police say the pair were in the “advanced stages of planning a serious, violent attack in Toronto,” and had a machete and axe in their possession.
Their matter was scheduled to be back in court Wednesday.
The day before, Opposition House Leader Andrew Scheer called for the parliamentary committee on public security to investigate how Ahmed Eldidi gained entry into Canada, despite reports he had ties to ISIS.
He called it a “colossal failure” and demanded the government provide answers.
On Wednesday, the federal New Democrats joined their call, with committee member Alistair MacGregor sending his own letter to the Liberal committee chair, asking for the ministers responsible for immigration and public safety to appear.
“Beyond the shocking details of this thwarted attack, it has come to light that (Eldidi) has a history of extremist activities with ISIS. This issue raises serious questions about how he was able to enter Canada, become a naturalized citizen and remain undetected for many years,” wrote the NDP MP.
“This alarming failure only adds to the concerns that Canadians already have about Canada’s public safety and immigration system.”
McKinnon has yet to respond to a request for comment.
In a joint statement late Tuesday, the offices of Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the RCMP have shared what is able to be shared publicly, adding that the Tories were willing to risk “undoing” police work “just to score a few political points.”
A spokeswoman declined to provide a response to the call from the NDP for a committee to investigate.
Under the supply-and-confidence agreement struck in March 2022, the NDP agreed to vote alongside the governing Liberals in exchange for the government advancing their priorities like pharmacare and dental care.
The Bloc Quebecois has also yet to respond to a request for comment.
Citing privacy legislation, the government has said it cannot discuss individual immigration cases.
The RCMP say they are still waiting to confirm the status of 26-year-old son Mostafa Eldidi, but have confirmed he is not a citizen.
National Post
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