Mounties charge Alberta teenager with attempting to travel for terrorism

EDMONTON – RCMP say a teen has been arrested in Alberta and charged with terror-related offences.

The 17-year-old boy was taken into custody Thursday in Beaumont, a bedroom community south of Edmonton.

Police have laid two charges: one of attempting to leave the country to participate in a terrorist group and another of attempting to leave the country to commit a terrorist activity.

The teen cannot be identified under the Young Offenders Act.

He has been remanded in custody and is to appear in youth court April 9.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Harold Pfleiderer said the force's Integrated National Security Enforcement Team handled the arrest. The team was established last year to simplify and streamline the collection, sharing and analysis of intelligence on potential threats to national security.

He said the investigation focused on safety and protection of the public. He would not provide more details.

"While it may be difficult for parents to come forward to the police, it is important for families and communities to contact police as soon as they suspect that an individual is being radicalized," said Pfleiderer.

Jeremy Laurin, press secretary for Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney, congratulated police for their work. He said the case is reminder of why the government's proposed anti-terror legislation is needed.

Bill C-51, introduced in January, would give police broader powers and allow them to detain terror suspects and give new powers to Canada's spy agency.

Opposition parties have criticized the bill for being too broad and vague and point out that are already some powers in place that Canada's security agencies aren't using.