The Canadian government labeled Samidoun as a terrorist entity on October 15, 2024. This is a group that stands in favor of Palestinian prisoners. According to Minister of  Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc, this decision has the purpose of keeping Canada safe and fighting against violent extremism. However, until now, there is not any evidence received that proves Samidoun’s group is linked to terrorism. 

In the last year, many Palestine supporters faced harassment and lost their jobs because of their beliefs. The government announced its decision after Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre pushed for Samidoun to be labeled as a terrorist group. It shows that all those who support Palestine have received growing political pressure. 

This situation highlights a clear change in Canadian politics, with Poilievre pulling the government further to the right. 

The Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party have not strongly opposed this trend, which means that many voices supporting Palestine may be silenced. Without strong action from activists, this trend could continue, threatening free speech in Canada.

The word “terrorist” often refers to a group of people that harm the world. But on political meaning, the meaning of terrorism can change. For example, the US removed Nelson Mandela from its terrorist list in 2008. But his group,  the African National Congress, was still listed as a terrorist organization in Canada as recently as 2013. 

In 2020, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) looked into whether the Wet’suwet’en Nation’s protest against a pipeline was terrorism. They did not follow through, but this shows how political issues can be ignored when using such labels.

The Jewish Defense League (JDL) received different treatment from different nations. In Israel, it is banned, while in the US it is called a terrorist group. But in Canada, it operated freely. This shows that every nation has its terrorist definition. Furthermore, the label “terrorist” can be utilized to silence opponents and save the government’s interests. Particularly regarding groups fighting for their rights.

The RCMP has got permission from the federal government’s terrorist list. They allow them to target organizations and people that are linked to terrorism. This permits the government to apply strict laws against these groups, such as blocking their access to money. 

For example, after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were called a terrorist group, the police raided the World Tamil Movement (WTM) even though no charges were ever made against them.

The entire Tamil community faced the impact of labeling groups as terrorists. When the MV Sun Sea arrived with Tamil refugees, they received terrorist-like treatment and were kept in detention for an extended period. This shows how people get unfair treatment when labeled as terrorists. This situation also creates hurdles in the way of Tamils organizing events and fighting for their interests because ‌government members often interfere. 

The situation with Samidoun highlights a concerning trend in Canada’s approach towards those who are labeled as terrorist entities. The Canadian government received pressure from the right-wing and Zionists to put the Samidoun on the terrorist list. However, there is no evidence received against Samidoun that proves they committed any crime. The government claims it is connected to the PFLP because they share similar views and members.

This sets a dangerous example where just being associated with a labeled group can lead to being called a terrorist organization. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s recent comments about Samidoun indicate a shift in politics to the right. While many Canadians oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza, political leaders often avoid supporting Palestinian rights. Ongoing grassroots efforts are essential to push politicians to listen to public opinion and support Palestine.