Toronto terror suspect came to Canada in 2018, became citizen last spring

OTTAWA — A man facing terror charges for allegedly plotting an attack in Toronto along with his son came to Canada in 2018 and became a citizen just months before his arrest.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc provided a House of Commons committee with a detailed timeline of the pair’s immigration file today.

Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, were arrested in Richmond Hill, Ont., and face nine terrorism charges including conspiracy to commit murder on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

At the public safety and national security committee, LeBlanc confirmed the elder Eldidi arrived to Canada in February 2018 and made a refugee claim in June of that year.

He became a citizen in May 2024, and was arrested at the end of July.

LeBlanc says the Canadian Security Intelligence Service became aware of the threat posed by the two men in June and the minister was briefed on July 24.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2024.

The Canadian Press