The Mackenzie Institute

Founded in 1986 in Toronto, the Mackenzie Institute is an independent non-profit organization concerned with issues related to political instability and organized violence. This includes such matters as terrorism, political extremism, warfare and organized crime.
The aim of the Institute is to provide research and commentary on its subject matter, to promote informed public debate, and to hold to the proposition that our liberal democratic tradition must be safeguarded and fostered.
The Institute is also concerned with the social and political stability of Canada, and works to enhance it when it can.
The Institute is named for the voyageur Alexander Mackenzie, the first European (and likely the first man) to reach the Pacific Ocean from Upper Canada, and the first to trace the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean. Mackenzie had the courage to explore routes that everyone knew existed, but feared to try. In our own way, we try to emulate his courage and forthrightness.

Worth Repeating:

Dr. Boaz Ganor's Plenary Address at ICT's 11th International Conference: World Summit on Counter-Terrorism can be viewed by clicking HERE and is also available through the ITC website, www.ict.org.il/

COMMENTARY

A Primer on Subversion

Since the appalling carnage of the Second World War and the arrival of the military-technical superiority of the Western nations, conflict has taken on different forms as aggressive and belligerent parties have sought to find alternative ways of waging war. At the same time, since the nineteenth century and the advent of political and economic systems hostile to liberal democracy, ideologues have had to find new ways to sap the structures of nation-states so that they can re-order societies along new lines.

One solution for both problems has been a resort to the techniques of subversion.

Liberal democratic societies must be open societies with a wide degree of freedom of expression and belief among their citizens. This has always meant vulnerability to subversion. Many democratic nations have a great deal of difficulty recognizing the existence of subversion, let alone specifically identifying its presence and finding...

BRIEFING NOTE

The Rogues’ Gallery? A List of Canadian-related Terrorists

Issue #42 -- March 2013 (updated as of April 6)

Many Canadians have a tendency to consider our nation as a small and unimportant one on the periphery of the great events of the world. Such modesty is a fine personal characteristic but a poor foundation for an appreciation of security policy. Terrorism is usually seen as an exotic problem for other nations and many Canadians tend to forget how often international terrorism relates to Canada.

Almost 12 years after the 9/11 attacks and nearly 28 years after the Air India Bombing, there is still a Canadian “who, us?” reflex that seems to automatically kick in with the discovery of some aspect of terrorism being related to Canada. The history of terrorism, particularly international terrorism, has much to do with our country. Accordingly, the following list of residents and citizens should serve as a reminder of...