GIA Removed from Canada’s Terrorist List

Summary#

The government issued the Order Accepting the Recommendation of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness that each listed entity set out in the annexed Schedule 1 remain a listed entity and that the entity in Schedule 2 no longer remain a listed entity on July 3, 2024. It accepts the Minister’s review under the Criminal Code that keeps most groups on Canada’s terrorist-entity list but removes the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) from that list.

What it does#

• Keeps 46 out of 47 reviewed entities on the list in the Regulations Establishing a List of Entities.
• Removes the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) from the list (listed in Schedule 2). The government says the GIA has had no activity since 2006 and has lost the capacity to carry out terrorist acts. Allies such as Australia and the United States have also delisted the GIA.
• Signals that the removal of the GIA will be implemented through a separate change to the regulations.
• Follows the rule in the Criminal Code that the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness must review listed entities at least every 5 years.

Who's affected#

• The groups on Canada’s terrorist-entity list and the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) (the group being removed).
• Banks, other financial institutions, and businesses that must watch for and report suspicious transactions linked to listed entities.
• Charities, non-profits and people who handle money or property that could be tied to a listed entity.
• Law enforcement and security agencies that handle these files, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.
• The general public — mainly through government messaging and the legal rules that apply to listed entities.

Why it matters#

• Being on the list triggers reporting duties, possible asset freezes, and obligations to notify police or security services about property linked to that entity. Those rules aim to reduce terrorist financing and activity.
• Removing the GIA reflects the government’s view that the group is no longer active and helps keep the list accurate and aligned with allies.
• For most Canadians the change won’t be visible day to day, but it matters for banks, charities, and anyone who might hold or move funds tied to these groups.
• The order is an administrative result of a statutory review; the actual delisting will be finalized by a regulatory amendment.