Commonwealth_ A newly revealed Canadian intelligence report has rejected assertions made by the Trump administration and Republican politicians that Canada’s border poses a significant national security threat to the United States. The internal document, obtained by Global News through an Access to Information request, concludes that there is limited evidence to support allegations of a surge in terrorist activity or illegal migration originating from Canada.
The report, produced by the Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre (ITAC), was marked “Secret/Canadian Eyes Only” and was compiled shortly after Donald Trump assumed the presidency. It was prepared as a direct response to heightened political rhetoric in the U.S., which included claims that Canada was a major conduit for terrorism and illegal border crossings into the U.S. Republican members of Congress have repeatedly labeled Canada as a significant threat, referring to its “porous northern border” and pressing for legislative action to address the issue. These claims were part of a broader narrative advanced by the Trump administration, which sought to frame Canada as a source of national security risks, including illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
However, the Canadian intelligence assessment provides a starkly different picture. It asserts that while irregular border crossings from Canada into the U.S. do occur, they remain minimal when compared to those at the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Since 2022, only six individuals flagged in the U.S. Terrorist Screening Data Set (TSDS) attempted to cross the border between official ports of entry. This small number suggests that the threat of terrorist infiltration from Canada is significantly overstated.
The report further contextualizes the TSDS, noting that the database includes a wide range of individuals. Not all those listed are deemed current or credible threats to national security. While some are associated with individuals of interest, others receive flags for further investigation but are not considered immediate threats. At official border crossings, 358 individuals on the TSDS list attempted to enter the U.S. from Canada in 2024, down from 484 in 2023 and 313 in 2022. Despite minor annual fluctuations, the number of such cases has decreased relative to the overall volume of travelers. This declining trend undermines claims of an escalating threat along the northern border.
The report also examines the motivations and behaviors of individuals associated with extremist ideologies who may travel between Canada and the U.S. It acknowledges that certain Canadians have attempted to attend events linked to extremist groups, including those affiliated with white nationalist movements such as the so-called Active Clubs. These groups use fitness and martial arts activities to attract followers and promote ideologies rooted in racial supremacy and anti-government sentiment.
While the report cautions that travel for such purposes can enhance extremist networks and potentially lead to increased radicalization, it does not suggest that such incidents are widespread or indicative of a broader crisis. Instead, the report emphasizes that these activities represent isolated cases rather than systemic threats. The release of this intelligence assessment comes at a politically sensitive time. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently visited the White House amidst ongoing tensions sparked by the trade tensions. Trump had cited the flow of illegal migrants and fentanyl from Canada as part of his justification for potential tariffs on Canadian imports, which he has threatened to impose by February 2025.
Adding to the pressure, lawmakers last year accused the Biden administration of neglecting border security, claiming that the northern border was experiencing an “unprecedented surge” in illegal migration, including known terrorists. However, the Canadian government’s fact-checking report claims to have not found any evidence for this claim.
