Why counter-terrorist financing matters in Canada

Tweet In Canada, suppressing terrorism is an “uphill battle” (see: Commission of Inquiry Into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182), and a battle which Canada stands poised to lose ground over unless more is done to detect, deter and prosecute terrorist financing. We have had numerous terrorist attacks planned and foiled, and to […]

Canada’s New Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 – Bill C51

Tweet 1. New Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015 The Government of Canada introduced its anticipated anti-terrorism legislation in Parliament. Bill C-51, entitled “An Act to Enact the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act and the Secure Air Travel Act” (the “Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015“) which is intended to arm the government with broader powers to address the increasing threat of […]

France calls for stronger counter-terrorist financing laws

Tweet Consensus on Supranational Risk Assessment  As part of the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive approval process in the European Union (the “4th AMLD“), the Council of the European Union’s President yesterday issued declarations and proposals for the regulation of anonymous financial transactions that are transacted on new fintech products. The communication from the President included […]

UK’s proposed controversial counter-terrorism law deals with home-grown terrorists and their return, including permitting forced relocation of suspects

Tweet The UK’s tough and controversial new counter-terrorism legislation is slated to be reviewed by the House of Lords on Monday before being given Royal Assent in an expedited fashion. The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill (HC 127) is intended to address a number of pressing terrorism and security issues facing the UK, in particular: (a) home-grown Islamic State […]

Ming Pao Newspaper covers diamond smuggling trade from Hong Kong to Vancouver

Tweet Diamond smuggling into Vancouver The Ming Pao Saturday Magazine has an interesting story on the arrest of two men from Hong Kong who attempted to smuggle $120 million worth of diamonds into Canada. The diamonds were strapped to their legs and are believed to be proceeds of crime. The story discusses the issue of […]

UK to prohibit insurance payments to terrorists for ransom and jail insurance executives for up to 14 years for terrorist financing on conviction

Tweet Ransom payments The UK government’s proposed Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 127 (the “Counter-Terrorism & Security Act“), now at Second Reading in the UK Parliament, will prohibit insurance companies from making ransom payments to terrorists and terrorist organizations. The provision would amend §17, the counter-terrorism financing part of the UK Terrorism Act 2000, to make it […]

Another Australian Bank De-Risks and Exits Remittance Business Over Terrorist Financing Regulatory Risks; Financial Inclusion and Shadow Banking Seen As Repercussion

Tweet Fourth banks closes remittances businesses Another bank in Australia, the Westpac Bank, has announced it will close its remittance business division next week over the difficulty of complying with counter-terrorism laws. By de-risking and closing its remittance division, the Bank is terminating the bank accounts of all of its business customers who operate money […]

Is the ATM Global Network Unwittingly Used for Terrorist Financing?

Tweet We’re pleased to announce that Christine Duhaime is giving a presentation on the issue of “How the ATM Network Globally is Unwittingly Used for Terrorist Financing & Ways to Prevent it” at the 2015 Interac Conference in Ottawa. After a spouse of a member of the Islamic State Tweeted to the world from ar-Raqqah, […]

Seminar on Terrorism Risks in Canada & Stopping Funding of Terrorism

Tweet On behalf of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists in Canada, we’re pleased to announce a wine & cheese on the important topic of understanding terrorist threats in Canada and ways to stop terrorist funding on December 3, 2014 in Vancouver. The session is aimed at providing guidance to financial institutions, money services […]

Court in Canada says despite notice of surveillance, violent offender has expectation of privacy over texts in public casino

Tweet Expectation of privacy In an odd decision out of Canada, a provincial level Supreme Court has ruled that a violent offender gambling at a public casino has an expectation of privacy when using his cellular phone to text despite the fact that gamblers are notified of being under surveillance when entering casinos. The decision […]