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Canada Day Terror Plot 'Profoundly Shocking': Christy Clark

Terror Plot 'Profoundly Shocking': Christy Clark
The Huffington Post B.C.
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Premier Christy Clark called a thwarted terror plan to bomb the B.C. Legislature on Canada Day "profoundly shocking."

Clark spoke Tuesday in front of the legislature that was the intended target of the Canada Day plot shortly after an RCMP news conference confirmed two suspects, John Stewart Nuttall and Amanda Marie Korody , had been charged with three counts of terrorism-related offences.

The premier said she had been informed of the plot on the morning of Canada Day, as she was headed to Kelowna, where she is running in a byelection in an attempt to regain a seat in the legislature.

"We will not let suspicion darken our hearts, " she told reporters. "Instead we will remain openhearted."

She said the RCMP had assured her that no one was ever at risk.

Assistant Commissioner Wayne Rideout said there was no evidence to suggest the plot was connected to international terrorism, but he said investigators nonetheless believe the threat was real.

"This self-radicalized behaviour was intended to create maximum impact and harm to Canadian citizens at the B.C. legislature on a national holiday," Rideout told a news conference in Surrey, B.C.

"They took steps to educate themselves and produce explosive devices designed to cause injury and death. ... They discussed a wide variety of targets and techniques."

Assistant Commissioner James Malizia said the suspects were inspired by "al-Qaeda ideology," though he said little about the specific motivation for the alleged plot.

"There is no evidence to indicate that these individuals had the support or were acting at the direction of a terrorist group, per se," said Malizia.

Rideout said the RCMP were in control during the investigation and ensured the alleged explosives could not be detonated.

During the news conference, the RCMP displayed photos of three pressure cookers alleged to have been used to construct the bombs.

Nuttall and Korody were arrested in Abbotsford, police said.

With a file from The Canadian Press

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B.C. Terror Suspects
John Nuttall(01 of18)
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John Nuttall is shown in this undated photo. Nuttall, 38, and his partner, Amanda Korody, were arrested and charged with three counts each in relation to an alleged plot to detonate bombs at the B.C. legislature in Victoria on Canada Day, as thousands celebrated the national holiday. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Kristina Verruyt)
Exterior View Of House(02 of18)
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The exterior of a home that had the basement apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Front Door Of Basement Suite(03 of18)
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An exterior view of the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody is shown in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Bathroom(04 of18)
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The bathroom counter is seen inside the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Kitchen(05 of18)
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A man walks through the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Kitchen(06 of18)
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Bottles of methadone are seen on the kitchen counter in the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Living Room(07 of18)
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The apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody is shown in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Living Room(08 of18)
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A photogrpaher shoots pictures inside the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Bedroom(09 of18)
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Money and a poster are pinned on a wall in the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Bedroom(10 of18)
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Inside the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Bedroom(11 of18)
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A photographer shoots pictures inside the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Bedroom(12 of18)
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Inside the apartment of alleged terror suspects John Nuttall and Amanda Korody in Surrey, B.C. (credit:HE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
(13 of18)
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RCMP Chief Supt. Wayne Rideout looks at a photograph of pressure cookers that RCMP say two people intended to use as explosive devices, during a news conference to announce terrorism charges in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday July 2, 2013. The charges are in connection to an alleged Al-Qaeda-inspired plot to explode a bomb at the B.C. Legislature on Canada Day. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
(14 of18)
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An improvised explosive device (IED) created with a pressure cooker filled with rusted nails is shown in an RCMP handout photo released to media, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Mounties say they've arrested two Canadian-born suspects with an "al-Qaida ideology" in connection with an alleged plot to blow up the British Columbia legislature on Canada Day. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP)
(15 of18)
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Contents (nuts, bolts, nails and washers) and other materials for the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are shown in an RCMP handout photo released to media, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Mounties say they've arrested two Canadian-born suspects with an "al-Qaida ideology" in connection with an alleged plot to blow up the British Columbia legislature on Canada Day. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP)
(16 of18)
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Three pressure cookers to be used as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are shown in an RCMP handout photo released to media, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Mounties say they've arrested two Canadian-born suspects with an "al-Qaida ideology" in connection with an alleged plot to blow up the British Columbia legislature on Canada Day. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP)
(17 of18)
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Security guards watch over the legislature grounds in Victoria, Tuesday, July 2, 2013. Mounties say they've arrested two Canadian-born suspects with an "al-Qaida ideology" in connection with an alleged plot to blow up the British Columbia legislature on Canada Day. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
(18 of18)
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An exterior view of the British Columbia Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Friday August 26, 2011. Mounties say two people with "al-Qaida ideology" planned to blow up the British Columbia legislature on a national holiday. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

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