Date: 20160720
Docket: DES-7-08
Citation:
2016 FC 808
Ottawa, Ontario, July 20, 2016
PRESENT: The Honourable Mr. Justice Brown
BETWEEN:
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IN
THE MATTER OF a certificate signed pursuant to section 77(1) of the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA);
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AND IN THE MATTER OF the referral of a certificate
to the Federal Court pursuant to section 77(1) of the IRPA;
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AND IN THE MATTER OF
Mohamed Zeki MAHJOUB
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ORDER AND REASONS
I.
Nature of the Matter
[1]
This is a motion by Mr. Mohamed Zeki Mahjoub
[the Applicant] for an Order removing all but the usual conditions of release
currently imposed on him pursuant to subsection 82(4) and paragraph 82(5)(b) of
the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act SC 2001, c 27 (IRPA).
In his Notice of Motion and a Notice of Constitutional Question, the Applicant
also asked for leave to argue at some later and unspecified date, that ss. 79,
82(5)(a), (b) and 82.3 in conjunction with sections 33 and 77 to 85.6 of the IRPA
violate sections 2(b), 7, 8, 9, 12 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms (Charter). However, the Applicant proposed that his
constitutional arguments should only be argued and decided if the Court did not
accept his submissions to remove all but the usual conditions of his release from
detention.
A.
Summary of disposition
[2]
I am relaxing a number of the conditions of the
Applicant’s release from detention though not to the extent the Applicant
requested. The principle changes are that the Applicant may now have access to
social media such as Facebook and Twitter, Skype and other websites and without
Court approved sureties being present; he may have a laptop computer instead of
a desktop at his residence; he may now have a cell phone with Internet
capability; and he is now entitled to have 24 hours’ notice before CBSA may
search his computer or cell phone. In addition, he may change residence inside
the GTA on 3 days’ notice, not the current 10, and he may travel outside the
GTA on 5 days’ notice, instead of 7. The specifics of the Applicant’s
conditions of release from detention are set out in Schedule “A” attached to this
Order and Reasons. I should add that these changes were offered by the
Ministers before the hearing.
[3]
As noted, I am not relaxing conditions of the
Applicant’s release from detention to the extent he requested. In light of the
danger I find him to be having regard to the IRPA, it would not be
responsible or prudent to remove all but the usual conditions at this time. The
conditions that remain are in the Court’s view, necessary under paragraph
85(2)(b) of IRPA to neutralize the danger I find the Applicant still
presents. In my view, these conditions are proportionate and reasonable in the
circumstances, and take into account his evolving circumstances including the
fact that CSIS no longer considers him to be a threat to national security and
has so advised domestic and international agencies and requested them to take
appropriate action.
[4]
I consider it very important that he not delete
Internet tracking information from either his cell phone or computer; while not
part of my Order, the Ministers are at liberty to apply to vary these
conditions of release, and perhaps others as required, if there is evidence of
non-compliance by the Applicant in this regard. For the same reasons, namely
ensuring compliance, I have not acceded to his request to visit internet cafes.
[5]
I found no merit in his request to be allowed to
visit gun stores, i.e., retail establishments whose primary function is to sell
firearms or weapons or which can be characterized as a 'shooting range' or
'shooting club' gun shop. I say this because of the danger element, noting his
testimony at the hearing that he does not want to purchase firearms but also
having regard to his army training in Egypt including training in the use of
automatic weapons. This request was wholly inappropriate.
[6]
My reasons follow.
B.
Procedural Matters
[7]
After a motion management meeting, and at the
Applicant’s request, I allowed the Applicant’s informal motion and by direction
dated May 31, 2016, ordered that a witness from the Canadian Security and
Intelligence Service (CSIS) attend the hearing to give evidence. I also granted
the Respondents’ informal request to cross-examine the Applicant on his
affidavit filed in support of his motion. Subsequently and at the Respondents’
request. I ordered that the name of the CSIS witness be confidential, and did
so by Order dated June 3, 2016. Thereafter, the Applicant advised he no longer
wished to examine the CSIS witness; accordingly I revoked that part of the
motion management direction by Order dated June 7, 2007.
[8]
The hearing of the motion took place over two
days. The first day was devoted to the cross-examination of the Applicant (he
not wishing direct examination rather, relying on his affidavit for that), and
re-direct examination of the Applicant by Applicant’s counsel. The second day
dealt with argument concerning conditions of release.
[9]
These Reasons do not report classified
information. Where previous decisions of the Court are cited with redactions,
those redactions are in the previous decisions. I have reviewed the classified
information underlying the public disclosure that I ordered June 6, 2016, and
that ordered released by Justice Noël in January, 2016, and in addition the
Reasonableness Decision of Justice Blanchard 2013 FC 1092 (Reasonableness
Decision). At the hearing I agreed that to the extent I relied on classified
information I would engage the Special Advocates, one of which was present at
the public hearing. I also heard submissions from both the Special Advocates
and the Ministers in camera at a special sitting of the Court on July
13, 2016, including submissions related to the confidential documents
summarized by the Court on January 14, 2016 and June 6, 2016, and the
unredacted Reasonableness Decision of Justice Blanchard.
C.
Argument of Constitutional Issues
[10]
The Applicant did not wish to argue
constitutional issues at the June hearing, as would normally have been the
case; I granted the Applicant’s request to split his arguments between
conditions of release, and his constitutional issues. I heard only condition of
release arguments on June 9 and 10, 2016.
[11]
However, I rejected the Applicant’s request that
he be allowed to d argue the constitutional points only if he did not
succeed in removing all but the usual conditions. At the opening of the hearing
on June 9, 2016, I directed that the parties consult with one another and
provide the Court with timelines for the filing of material to enable a
relatively early resolution of the Applicant’s constitutional questions.
[12]
At the hearing I also canvassed the timelines
for hearing the constitutional arguments, and suggested filings in a timely way
and a hearing in July. Applicant’s counsel said they lack funding for aspects
of such a challenge, and further advised they would not be available in August.
It was left they would revert to the Court with written submissions. That was
on June 10, 2016. On June 30, 2016, Applicant’s counsel advised they still had
not obtained funding and proposed a schedule of filing, assuming funding, that
would see the matter argued in September, 2016. But once again the Applicant
proposed to split his arguments, such that only the issues concerning the
threshold and burden of proof (points 15, 16 i) to iv) of the Notice of
Constitutional Question) would be argued in September. The remainder of his
arguments including those on the certification process would be argued
subsequent to my ruling on his first tranche of constitutional arguments - but
only “if necessary”.
[13]
I should note the Applicant has had since
October 30, 2015, the date of the last review of his conditions of release, to
prepare for the present motion, yet is to this date still unprepared to do so.
[14]
By email July 5, 2016, the Ministers oppose what
they describe as proceeding in a “piecemeal” fashion,
and instead propose proceeding on written filings with a hearing if needed
sometime later in September. They propose that all matters be decided at once.
[15]
I am not prepared to proceed in the piecemeal
fragmented multi-step manner suggested by the Applicant. While the Applicant
filed a motion to secure funding on July 20, 2016, the motion had not yet been
argued, nor of course has a decision been made. In fact, the Applicant has no
real timetable at all, because even the fragmented timetable suggested depends
on raising necessary funds which he has not done. His counsel writes of a
hearing in September, but it could very well be later, perhaps even after the
date at which the Applicant might, if he chooses, initiate a new request to
review his conditions of release (which appears he can do in November, 2016).
[16]
The motion to review conditions of release from
detention is dated May 12, 2016, while the Notice of Constitutional Questions
is dated May 25, 2016. I am not prepared to issue directions for filing
submissions in the abstract; I will deal with that issue if as and when the
Applicant comes to this Court with a proper and concrete plan for necessary
filings that will see all his constitutional issues dealt with in one set of
filings and in one set of reasons, with or without one set of hearings. Before
doing so I reiterate that his counsel consult with counsel for the Ministers to
narrow their differences if it is possible before coming back to this Court for
directions.
[17]
I am certainly not prepared to delay a decision
on his conditions of release into the mid to late Fall of 2016; in my view,
these motions should proceed reasonably expeditiously and within the framework
of the Court’s usual Rules except where exceptions are warranted.
[18]
Therefore I am issuing my decision on the
conditions of release from detention today.
(1)
Brief History of Proceedings
[19]
The Applicant is the subject of a security
certificate signed pursuant to subsection 77(1) of the IRPA on February 22,
2008, by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. The security certificate states:
We hereby certify that we were of the
opinion, based on a Security Intelligence Report received and considered by us,
that Mohamed Zeki Mahjoub, a foreign national, is inadmissible on grounds of
security for the reasons described in sections 34(1)(b), 34 (1)(c), 34(1)(d)
and 34(1)(f) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
[20]
For reference, the relevant provisions of
section 34 of IRPA provided at that time:
Security
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Sécurité
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34 (1) A permanent resident or a foreign national is inadmissible
on security grounds for
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34 (1) Emportent
interdiction de territoire pour raison de sécurité les faits suivants
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(a) engaging in an act of espionage or an act of subversion
against a democratic government, institution or process as they are
understood in Canada;
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a) être l’auteur de tout acte d’espionnage
dirigé contre le Canada ou contraire aux intérêts du Canada;
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[…]
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[…]
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(b) engaging in or instigating the subversion by force of any
government;
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b) être l’instigateur ou l’auteur d’actes
visant au renversement d’un gouvernement par la force;
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(c) engaging in terrorism;
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c) se livrer au terrorisme;
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(d) being a danger to the security of Canada;
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d) constituer un danger pour la sécurité
du Canada
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(e) engaging in acts of violence that would or might endanger the
lives or safety of persons in Canada; or
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e) être l’auteur de tout acte de violence
susceptible de mettre en danger la vie ou la sécurité d’autrui au Canada;
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(f) being a member of an organization that there are reasonable
grounds to believe engages, has engaged or will engage in acts referred to in
paragraph (a), (b) or (c).
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f) être membre d’une organisation dont il
y a des motifs raisonnables de croire qu’elle est, a été ou sera l’auteur
d’un acte visé aux alinéas a), b), b.1) ou c).
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[21]
The Applicant has a long history with this
Court. In addition, the relevant legislation has evolved over time. Important
aspects of his original detention, subsequent release on conditions, the many
subsequent reviews of his conditions of release, together with the evolving
statutory framework are well summarized by Justice Noël at paras 5 to 20 in Mahjoub
(Re), 2015 FC 1232 (Conditions of Release decision, October 30, 2015). This
decision is the most recent review of the Applicant’s many reviews of his
conditions of release.
[22]
The Applicant is an Egyptian national, born in
April 1960. He came to Toronto, Canada, in the last days of December 1995, having
arrived here on a false Saudi Arabian passport. He claimed refugee status,
which the Immigration and Refugee Board granted in1996. He became a subject of
interest to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service [“CSIS”] sometime in 1996. As a result of this
investigation, he became the named person in a certificate issued by the
Ministers in June 2000 and was arrested on June 26, 2000. He was in detention
from 2000 to 2007; he was released in February 2007, under stringent
conditions.
[23]
Justice Nadon of the Federal Court of Canada (as
he was then) determined that certificate to be reasonable on October 5, 2001.
In the Reasons for Order, Justice Nadon noted that the Applicant admitted he
had perjured himself by not admitting that he knew a certain individual.
Justice Nadon concluded that he did not believe the Applicant’s explanation for
lying and added that the Applicant had lied before his Court on a number of
occasions (see Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Mahjoub,
2001 FCT 1095, at paragraphs 57, 58, 68 and 70 (Nadon Decision).
[24]
After the original security certificate regime
was held to infringe Charter rights in 2007 (see Charkaoui v Canada
(Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2007 SCC 9, [Charkaoui I]),
a new statutory system was implemented which the Supreme Court of Canada
subsequently upheld [Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v
Harkat, [2014] 2 S.C.R. 33].
[25]
The Applicant began filing for conditions of
release reviews under this new system in 2008.
[26]
The new legislation also provides for security
certificates that may be challenged in this Court on the basis of
reasonableness. Such a certificate was issued against the Applicant. After very
lengthy proceedings spanning several years, the late Justice Blanchard held the
Applicant’s security certificate was reasonable in October, 2013 (see Mahjoub
(Re), 2013 FC 1092 (Reasonableness Decision). The Applicant has appealed
that decision to the Federal Court of Appeal, which appeal has not yet been
heard.
[27]
Justice Blanchard found that there were
reasonable grounds to believe that the Applicant was a member of the Al Jihad
and its splinter or sub-group, the Vanguards of Conquest, and that the
Applicant posed a danger to the security of Canada given his contacts with many
known or suspected terrorists in Canada and abroad. Justice Blanchard found
that Al Jihad and the Vanguards of Conquest are important terrorist groups that
were active in Egypt and had direct links and relationships with Osama Bin
Laden and Al Qaeda.
[28]
Thereafter, on December 17, 2013, after hearing
an application by the Applicant to be released from all his conditions of
release of detention except for a few, the late Justice Blanchard concluded:
I am satisfied that Mr. Mahjoub poses a
threat to the security of Canada as described in my Reasons for Order dated
January 7, 2013.
[29]
Justice Blanchard also held that the Applicant’s
conditions of release should not change except for small adaptations regarding
the use of calling cards, and that the Applicant was in technical breach of his
conditions of release by not informing CBSA that he had acquired a mobile
phone, but it was not a significant breach because the Applicant had not used
it. He also found that when the Applicant opted to cut off the GPS bracelet
himself instead of letting CBSA remove it without destroying it, the Applicant
did not breach any conditions but that his unilateral conduct indicated an “unwillingness” to cooperate with the CBSA (see Mahjoub
(Re), 2013 FC 1257, at paragraphs 5, 6, 16, 17 and 18 [2013 Blanchard J.
(December)]).
[30]
In May 2014, Justice Noël ordered that the
Applicant must give his computer password to the CBSA as the conditions of
release granted CBSA access to it (see Mahjoub (Re), 2014 FC 479 [2014
Noël J. (May)]). Justice Noël said the Applicant’s attitude was indicative of a
lack of collaboration and cooperation, and that his attitude did not help the
CBSA fulfil its supervisory mandate as required by the Court’s Order.
[31]
In mid-2014 the Applicant filed another
application to review the conditions of release. He essentially requested the
same outcome as he had before Justice Blanchard, and as he does now, namely
that all conditions be repealed except for a few usual ones to be of good
behaviour and keep the peace. Justice Noël dismissed the Applicant’s request in
2014 FC 720, concluding in part:
[78] The danger to the security of
Canada associated to Mr. Mahjoub now is certainly not comparable to the danger
assessed in the past. But, is it such that it does not exist anymore? I am of
the opinion that it has diminished through the years. But, since the January
2013 review of the conditions where it was found to have diminished
“significantly”, I do not find any major indicators that it has further
diminished importantly. To come to this conclusion, as demonstrated above, I
have reviewed the confidential and public evidence which shows the concerns
that remained then still exist today. The danger to the security of Canada
associated to Mr. Mahjoub has not evaporated; it remains latent, perceptible and
factual. Mr. Mahjoub’s conditions of release as they were conceptualized and
amended by Justice Blanchard are working and did neutralize the danger then
assessed. Lifting all conditions does not guarantee the danger Mr. Mahjoub
poses will be appropriately neutralized. I am thus not ready to grant Mr.
Mahjoub the relief he seeks except for what is said below.
[32]
In 2015, the Applicant requested a further
review of his conditions of release, which resulted in the Conditions of
Release decision October 30, 2015, made by Justice Noël already referred to.
The Court again rejected the Applicant’s request that all but the usual
conditions be removed. However, some conditions were relaxed, including:
a)
The weekly reporting was reduced to bi-monthly;
b)
The use of a mobile phone was permitted, with
conditions; and
c)
Mail interception was removed.
[33]
As the result of these and other proceedings,
the conditions of release currently in place are as set out in Schedule “A”
attached to these Reasons: “SCHEDULE OF CONDITIONS
RESPECTING THE RELEASE OF MR. MAHJOUB”.
[34]
The Ministers oppose this request, but consent
to the following changes to the conditions of release:
-
the Ministers are amenable to reducing the
notice period for outings outside of the GTA from 7 to 5 business days;
-
the Ministers propose that the Applicant be
permitted to access social media, Skype and websites with conditions to allow
supervision:
•
The Applicant may create only one account per
social media website or application including, but not limited to Facebook and
Twitter. The Applicant may create one account on Skype. He may create one
account on any other application or website that provides video chat and voice
call services, subject to CBSA approval.
•
The Applicant shall consent to CBSA, or any
person designated by it, having access, without notice to all of such accounts.
•
The Applicant must ensure that no one else,
except for him and CBSA or agents of CBSA have access to these accounts.
•
The Applicant shall provide CBSA with the login
information and all passwords immediately upon setting up any account on any
website or application, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and
Skype, and must immediately update CBSA of any changes to user names or
passwords.
•
Skype may only be accessed using a desktop
application.
•
Skype settings must be such that all chat and
call history are set to be saved “forever”.
•
The Applicant must notify CBSA of the names and
Skype addresses of individuals with whom he wishes to communicate, one month in
advance of engaging in such communication.
•
The Applicant shall not alter or delete records
of communication or activity on social media website or application, websites
or applications that provide video chat and voice call services, or any other
website or other application, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter,
and Skype.
-
The Ministers further propose:
o
The Applicant may possess one desktop or one
laptop computer.
o
The Applicant may use a wi-fi network at his
residence. The wi-fi network must be password-protected to ensure no one else
can access it.
o
The Applicant’s computer must remain, and only
be used in his residence. Internet may only be accessed on his home network via
a cable or wi-fi connection.
o
CBSA will provide the Applicant with 24-hours’
written notice prior to attending his residence to collect his computer for
examination. The Applicant’s confirmation of receipt of prior notice is not
necessary.
-
With respect to examination of the Applicant's
mobile telephone the Ministers propose the following (which replicate the existing
conditions regarding the desktop PC that he is now permitted):
o CBSA shall give the Applicant 24-hours' written notice prior to
examining his mobile phone. The Applicant's confirmation of the written notice
is not required.
o At any other time, with justification, CBSA may seek the order of a
Designated Judge for access to the Applicant's computer without notice, for the
purpose of ensuring that he is complying with the conditions of this Order.
o Mr. Mahjoub shall not delete or clear any app data, app usage
information, data usage information, wi-fi network logs, or any caches stored
on his mobile phone at any time without prior approval from CBSA.
-
The Ministers also agree to a reduction of the
notice period for a change of residence from 10 days to 3 business days.
D.
Applicant’s Arguments
[35]
The Applicant relies on Mr. Mahjoub's affidavit
and the facts therein to argue that a complete removal of conditions of release,
save for the usual “keep the peace” conditions,
ought to be granted.
[36]
He says he has been a peaceful and law-abiding
person for many years. The conditions imposed on him are intrusive, and prevent
him from living a meaningful life. The conditions have caused the Applicant
stress and anxiety in which regard he points to the report of Dr. Payne which
addresses psychological reports released over the years.
[37]
The Applicant argues there is no evidence of an
existing threat, where no evidence was filed by the Minister of any threat
posed by the Applicant since the last review. The Applicant also flags the
summary of the CSIS classified report released by Justice Noël on January 18,
2016 referred to above, which states:
Despite Mohamed Mahjoub's former leadership
role and connections to high profile members within Al Jihad, CSIS has assessed
that the threat posed by Mr. Mahjoub's activities has diminished since the 2011
Threat Assessment because the Service does not suspect anymore that his recent
activities pose a threat to the security of Canada pursuant to the CSIS Act.
[38]
The Applicant also relies on the fact that on
June 6, 2016, pursuant to paragraph 83(1)(e) of the IRPA, I ordered the
following disclosure:
On January 27, 2016, CSIS notified each of
the foreign agencies with which CSIS had shared information concerning Mr.
Mahjoub that CSIS investigation had led the Service to assess that Mr.
Mahjoub’s activities no longer pose a threat to security of Canada pursuant to
the CSIS Act. CSIS requested the agencies to act accordingly based on this
assessment.
On March 7, 2016, CSIS notified domestic
agencies, including CBSA that CSIS investigation had led the Service to assess
that Mr. Mahjoub’s activities no longer pose a threat to the security of Canada
pursuant to the CSIS Act. CSIS requested the agencies to act accordingly based
on this assessment.
[39]
Moreover, the Applicant argues the January 2016
summary is based on an unfounded statement of fact already dismissed by this
Court; this indicates Mr. Mahjoub's threat levels decreased even more than the
summary threat assessment lets on. While the summary states Mr. Mahjoub
occupied a leadership role within Al Jihad, the Reasonableness Decision of
Justice Blanchard (Mahjoub (Re), 2013 FC 1092) concluded there were no
reasonable grounds to believe that he did. Therefore, the Applicant says the classified
report may have been based on false premises which skewed the findings of the
report.
[40]
The Applicant argues that the harm resulting
from the danger must be substantial where conditions of release imposed ought
to neutralize this danger. The conditions and the potential harm ought to be
proportional; if there is no identifiable harm, any condition of release is not
justified.
[41]
The Applicant further argues there were errors
of law on the evidence and on the relevant threshold in the review of the
conditions. This argument relies on the error of law stating that the wrong
standard was applied by the Court, that is, the burden to meet is “balance of probabilities” and not “reasonable grounds to believe”. Where each prior
ruling was also based on the wrong standard of proof, i.e. “reasonable grounds”, does not make the standard of
proof the correct one.
[42]
At any rate, the Ministers would not meet their
initial burden on either standard, because no evidence has been adduced by the
Ministers that the Applicant poses any current threat or danger to the national
security of Canada. I will refer to this as the “burden
of proof” issue and will deal with it shortly.
[43]
The Applicant submits the existing conditions of
release are disproportionate and have had a negative impact on the Applicant's
mental and physical health conditions, which was recognized in previous
rulings. These conditions amount to undue and cruel suffering.
[44]
The passage of time also weighs in favour of the
removal of all conditions of release. The threat has diminished and the
Applicant's recent activities do not constitute a threat to Canadian security.
[45]
The Applicant has a pending appeal of the
reasonableness decision at the FCA, for which a date of hearing had not yet
been but might be scheduled soon. This, he says, weighs in favour of removing
all conditions of release as an interim remedy under subsection 24(1) of the Charter
for the violation of his right to a fair trial. This appeal is based on various
elements characteristic of an unfair trial under the Criminal Code and its
judicial interim release pending appeal provisions.
[46]
The Applicant also argues he is a Convention
Refugee and the inability of the Canadian authorities to remove him to Egypt
due to undeniable human rights abuses in that country are relevant to the
present motion; in effect the Applicant will be subject to conditions of
release for as long as the Applicant remains in Canada. The Applicant has been
detained or subject to conditions of release for 16 years already; such
treatment amounts to unreasonable and arbitrary detention and release
condition's length.
[47]
In sum, the Applicant would agree to abide by
the usual conditions of release without more, which would be proportional to
what he alleges is his very low risk.
E.
Ministers’ Position
[48]
The Respondents allege the Applicant is a danger
under paragraph 85(2)(a) of the IRPA, that conditions of release are
needed to neutralize that danger, and that the absence of wrongful conduct by
the Applicant is a result of the success of the existing conditions of release
which continue to be necessary to continue to neutralize that danger.
[49]
The Ministers in their submissions concede the
following conditions should be relaxed, subject to the limitations noted above.
[50]
The Ministers also asks the following provision
should be added to the Conditions of Release, and as I saw no serious
disagreement with it particularly since it mirrors the conditions already in
place regarding the Applicant's computer, I will impose such a condition as it
is both reasonable and proportionate. Indeed, I consider this and the
conditions related to the computer and retention of Internet tracking
information to be very important conditions of release from detention. The
proposed additional condition is:
Mr. Mahjoub shall not delete or clear any
app data, app usage information, data usage information, wi-fi network logs, or
any caches stored on his mobile phone at any time without prior approval from
the CBSA.
[51]
The Ministers argue the Applicant's history
weighs in favour of maintaining the conditions of release. They point to
Justice Blanchard's Reasonableness Decision. This decision, though on appeal,
is final; the Court ought to rely on it.
[52]
The Ministers further allege the Applicant's
history of perjuring himself before the Court and of instances of
non-compliance with the CBSA, with continued complaints about CBSA actions,
indicates the Applicant cannot now be trusted by the Court to keep his promise
to keep the peace.
[53]
The Ministers argue the Applicant's arguments
have already been dealt with by this Court, and continue to be without merit.
First, this Court has previously found, correctly, that the applicable standard
of proof is reasonable grounds to believe, as opposed to the Applicant's
asserted “balance of probabilities”. Second, the
Court is not sitting in appeal of its previous judgments where the Court is
called upon to review the conditions of release. Third, the Applicant's future
removal and conditions in Egypt are irrelevant because premature.
[54]
The Ministers submit the history of the Applicant
weighs against him, where the factors are as laid out in Charkaoui I at
paras 110 et seq. and in Harkat v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration), 2013 FC 795. These were further used by Justice Noël in his Mahjoub
(Re), 2014 FC 720 decision:
[44] In order to make the proper
determination in the present review of the conditions of release, it is the
intention of this Court to proceed with its analysis by relying on the criteria
established in Harkat v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration),
2013 FC 795 at para 26, [2013] FCJ No 860, and in Charkaoui v Canada
(Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2007 SCC 9 at paras 110-121,
[2007] SCJ No 9, which are as follows:
A. Past decisions relating to the danger and the history of the procedures
pertaining to reviews of detention, release from detention with conditions and
the decisions made;
B. The Court’s assessment of the danger to the security of Canada
associated with the Applicant in light of all the evidence presented;
C. The decision, if any, on the reasonableness of the
certificate;
D. The elements of trust and credibility related to the behaviour
of the Applicant after having been released with conditions and his compliance
with them;
E. The uncertain future as to the finality of the procedures;
F. The passage of time (in itself, not a deciding factor – see Harkat
v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2007 FC 416, at para 9,
[2007] FCJ No 540);
G. The impact of the conditions of release on the Applicant and
his family and the proportionality between the danger posed by the Applicant
and the conditions of release.
[55]
The Ministers analyse each factor to conclude
that the facts support relaxing some conditions, but does not warrant lifting
all the conditions of release imposed on the Applicant.
[56]
In their cross-examination of Mr. Mahjoub at the
hearing, the Ministers elicited confirmation that Mr. Mahjoub did in fact use
the alias “Shaker” while in the Sudan. This,
they argued, would have altered Justice Blanchard's findings on whether there
were reasonable grounds to believe the Applicant had used this alias, thereby
heightening the threat level finding by Justice Blanchard.
II.
Facts
[57]
The facts have been summarized in several other
proceedings before the Court, including in Justice Noël's decision rendered in
October 2015, Mahjoub (Re), 2015 FC 1232:
[5] Mr. Mahjoub, an Egyptian national, was
born in April 1960. He came to Toronto, Canada, in the last days of December
1995. He travelled on a false Saudi Arabian passport and claimed refugee
status, which the Immigration and Refugee Board granted on October 24, 1996. He
became a subject of interest to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service
[“CSIS”] sometime in 1996. As a result of this investigation, he became the
named person in a certificate issued by the Ministers in June 2000 and was
arrested on June 26, 2000.
[6] Justice Nadon of the Federal Court of
Canada (as he was then) determined that certificate to be reasonable1 on October 5,
2001. In the Reasons for Order, the judge noted that Mr. Mahjoub admitted he
had perjured himself by not admitting that he knew a certain individual.
Justice Nadon wrote that he did not believe Mr. Mahjoub’s explanation for lying
and added that Mr. Mahjoub had lied on a number of counts (see Canada
(Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Mahjoub, 2001 FCT 1095, at
paragraphs 57, 58, 68 and 70 [2001 Nadon J. (October)]).
[7] Justice Eleanor Dawson, now of the
Federal Court of Appeal, twice dismissed (in 2003 and 2005) Mr. Mahjoub’s
applications to be released from detention. Justice Nadon’s above-mentioned
findings of untruthfulness were relied upon by Justice Dawson in her first
decision (see Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Mahjoub,
2003 FC 928, at paragraph 76 [2003 Dawson J. (July)]). In her second review of
detention, Justice Dawson refused to grant the release of detention because she
did not think the conditions of release of detention could neutralize the
danger. She added that the trust factor related to Mr. Mahjoub was not there
and that she was not convinced he would abide by the conditions discussed at
the time (see Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Mahjoub,
2005 FC 1596, at paragraph 101 [2005 Dawson J. (November)]).
[8] On February 15, 2007, Mr. Mahjoub was
released from detention with stringent conditions which included GPS
monitoring, house arrest, supervision, surety, no access to communications
devices, etc. (see Mahjoub v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration), 2007 FC 171 [2007 Mosley J. (February)]).
[9] On February 23, 2007, the Supreme Court
of Canada declared the security certificate regime to be unconstitutional and
suspended its declaration of invalidity for one (1) year to permit Parliament
to amend the IRPA (see Charkaoui v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration), 2007 SCC 9, [2007] 1 S.C.R. 350 [“Charkaoui n° 1”]).
[10] A new security certificate regime,
involving special advocates among other matters, came into force in February
2008. A new security certificate was signed against Mr. Mahjoub by the Ministers
on February 22, 2008.
[11] Justice Layden-Stevenson, the
designated judge in charge of this new certificate proceeding prior to her
appointment to the Federal Court of Appeal, rendered two (2) decisions on the
conditions of release of detention in late December 2008 and March 2009. In her
first decision, she modified a condition of release from an earlier Order
(April 11, 2007). In her second decision, she noted that Mr. Mahjoub’s
insistence on strict adherence to the conditions of release in the literal
sense hampered the CBSA’s effort to accommodate his family (see Canada
(Minister of Citizenship and Immigration) v Mahjoub, 2009 FC 248, at
paragraph 150 [2009 Layden-Stevenson J. (March)]).
[12] About ten (10) days after the issuance
of Justice Layden-Stevenson’s Reasons for Order, two (2) of Mr. Mahjoub’s
sureties, his wife and stepson, renounced their role as sureties. As a result,
Mr. Mahjoub consented to return to detention on March 18, 2009.
[13] He was then released from detention
with conditions by Justice Blanchard, the new designated judge in charge of
this second security certificate proceeding, on November 30, 2009 (Mahjoub
(Re), 2009 FC 1220 [2009 Blanchard J. (November)]).
[14] In a new application to dismiss the
majority of the conditions of release of detention, Justice Blanchard amended
the conditions such as eliminating the requirement for GPS tracking (see Mahjoub
(Re), 2011 FC 506 [2011 Blanchard J. (May)]).
[15] In two successive sets of Reasons for
Order dated February 1, 2012, and January 7, 2013, Justice Blanchard again
lifted some conditions and considerably modified others as he found the threat
Mr. Mahjoub posed had diminished (see Mahjoub (Re), 2012 FC 125, at
paragraphs 66, 90-93; and Mahjoub (Re), 2013 FC 10) [2012 Blanchard
(February)] [2013 Blanchard J. (January)]). In this last decision, at paragraph
47, Justice Blanchard expressed concerns about ensuring Mr. Mahjoub does not
communicate with terrorists and re-acquire terrorist contacts.
[16] On October 25, 2013, Justice Blanchard
issued his Reasons for Judgment and Judgment on the reasonableness of the
security certificate (see Mahjoub (Re), 2013 FC 1092 [“2013 Blanchard J.
(October)” or “Reasonableness Decision”]). He found:
[618] The following is a summary of
my earlier findings relating to the credibility of Mr. Mahjoub’s various
accounts:
a. Mr.
Mahjoub was not truthful when he denied knowing Mr. Marzouk, Mr. Khadr, Mr.
Jaballah or their aliases. In particular, during his fourth interview in
October 1998, he denied knowing Mr. Khadr despite having admitted to knowing
him in an earlier interview. When confronted with the fact that he had resided
with the Elsamnahs, Mr. Khadr’s in-laws, another fact he did not disclose to
the Canadian authorities, he then admitted knowing Mr. Khadr.
b. Mr.
Mahjoub was not truthful when he denied ever using an alias. I found Mr.
Mahjoub’s explanation of how he came to use the alias “Ibrahim” when he
admitted to using it, not credible for the reasons expressed at paragraph 539
above.
c. Mr.
Mahjoub’s explanation that he did not provide the names of individuals who knew
him by the alias Ibrahim to the Service for fear that the Egyptian authorities
would target him and these individuals was not credible as explained at
paragraph 540 above.
d. Mr.
Mahjoub omitted to disclose to Canadian authorities the true nature of his
occupation and his employer at the Damazine Farm while in Sudan, indicating
only that he was employed as an agricultural engineer at the Farm. This
omission further impugns his credibility.
e. Mr.
Mahjoub’s explanation for leaving the Farm to buy and sell goods in the market
was not credible, given the salary he was likely earning at the time in
comparison to average wages in Sudan as explained at paragraphs 484-486 and 490
above.
[619] In my view, the above omissions
and lies by Mr. Mahjoub are crafted and designed to consistently conceal any
facts that could connect Mr. Mahjoub to known terrorists, terrorist activities
or known terrorist related enterprises such as Althemar. The fact that Mr.
Mahjoub would lie about the use of aliases is of particular concern. The use of
aliases is well known in the terrorist milieu and serves to conceal the true identify
of individuals involved.
[620] The above omissions and lies by
Mr. Mahjoub in the circumstances lead me to conclude that his innocent account
of events and activities in Sudan and in Canada is not credible. This finding
lends support to the Ministers’ allegations.
[…]
iii. The timing of Mr. Mahjoub’s
travels
[623] Mr. Mahjoub’s travels to Sudan
in September 1991 coincide with the movement of AJ and Al Qaeda elements to
Sudan. Mr. Mahjoub’s departure from Sudan to Canada also coincides with the
exodus of those elements from Sudan to the West and other countries in the
Muslim world. I accept that during this period terrorist organizations were
intent on finding a base abroad and their membership scattered to places
including Europe and North America. I find that the timing of Mr. Mahjoub’s
travels supports the Ministers’ allegation that Mr. Mahjoub was a member of the
AJ.
iv. Mr. Mahjoub’s terrorist contacts
[624] A number of Mr. Mahjoub’s
contacts are important players in the terrorist milieu. Mr. Mahjoub’s contacts
with Mr. Al Duri, Mr. Khadr and Mr. Marzouk have been close and enduring. A
number of these individuals were still demonstrably active in the militant AJ
and associated Al Qaeda milieu when Mr. Mahjoub was in contact with them. The
frequent use of aliases, lies and omissions to conceal these relationships from
the authorities is indicative of the terrorist nature of these contacts. I find
that these contacts support the Minister’s allegations of Mr. Mahjoub’s
membership in the AJ and the VOC. In addition, Mr. Mahjoub
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX contacted a telephone number associated with
the VOC.
v. Mr. Mahjoub’s security
consciousness
[625] There is evidence that Mr.
Mahjoub exhibited security consciousness related to terrorism on occasion while
in Canada. For instance, anti-surveillance tactics when making phone calls or
being followed by the Service, his use of aliases, and his lack of cooperation
with Canadian authorities is consistent with an individual concerned with
concealing his activities and contacts. I find that this behaviour supports the
Ministers’ allegations of Mr. Mahjoub’s membership in the AJ and the VOC.
vi. The direct evidence affirming or
denying that Mr. Mahjoub is a terrorist and member of the VOC Shura Council
[626] As indicated above, the direct
evidence relating to the Ministers’ allegations that Mr. Mahjoub is a member of
the VOC and its Shura Council or a member of the AJ, consist of:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
c. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [certain
classified evidence] and
d. an intercepted conversation.
I found that the [classified] reports
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX were not sufficiently persuasive to support the Minister’s
allegation of membership; however, I found that XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [one piece of
evidence indicating that Mr. Mahjoub was an AJ leader] and Mr. Mahjoub’s
self-identification as a “member” in the context of the Returnees of Albania
Trial lends support to the allegation of membership.
c) Conclusion on membership
[627] Upon considering the evidence
holistically, and on the basis of substantiated and reasonable inferences, I
find that the Ministers have established reasonable grounds to believe that Mr.
Mahjoub is a member of the AJ and its splinter or sub-group, the VOC.
[628] In so determining, I rely on my
findings set out above which include:
a. That
the AJ and VOC existed as terrorist organizations at the relevant times;
b. Mr.
Mahjoub had contact in Canada and abroad with AJ and VOC terrorists;
c. Mr.
Mahjoub used aliases to conceal his terrorist contacts;
d. Mr.
Mahjoub was dishonest with Canadian authorities to conceal his terrorist
contacts;
e. Mr.
Mahjoub worked in a top executive position in a Bin Laden enterprise alongside
terrorists in Sudan at a time when key terrorist leaders were in Sudan;
f. Mr.
Mahjoub was dishonest in concealing from Canadian authorities the nature of his
position at Damazine Farm;
g. Mr.
Mahjoub travelled to and from Sudan at the same time as AJ and Al Qaeda
elements; and
h.
XXXXXXXX [Some of the direct evidence] that Mr. Mahjoub was a member of the AJ
and Mr. Mahjoub’s intercepted conversation support the Minister’s allegation.
[629] In my determination, I have
also relied upon the following inferences relating to Mr. Mahjoub’s travels and
activities. These include:
a. Mr.
Mahjoub’s contacts were of a terrorist nature;
b. Mr.
Mahjoub had a close and long-lasting relationship with a number of his
terrorist contacts;
c. Mr.
Mahjoub was trusted by Mr. Bin Laden on the basis of his ties to the Islamic
extremist community;
d. Mr.
Mahjoub was aware of and complicit in Al Qaeda weapons training occurring at
Damazine Farm; and
e. Mr.
Mahjoub’s travels to and from Sudan at the same time as AJ elements were not
coincidental.
[630] I
am satisfied that even without the direct evidence XXXXXXX and from the
intercepted conversation, my decision would not change.
[631] On the basis of the above
findings, I am satisfied that Mr. Mahjoub had an institutional link with the AJ
and knowingly participated in that organization. While there is a dearth of
compelling and credible evidence explicitly linking Mr. Mahjoub with the VOC, I
am satisfied that the evidence establishes an institutional link and knowing
participation in the faction of the AJ led by Dr. Al Zawahiri, which eventually
aligned itself with Al Qaeda and continued to be militant after many members of
the AJ had declared a ceasefire. I have found that this faction was likely
known as the VOC, at least at some point in its history. Mr. Mahjoub was linked
with this faction of the AJ and Al Qaeda through his employment at Althemar, his
travels, and his terrorist contacts in Canada. This link was active and
enduring for many years. He knowingly participated in this network through his
involvement in the Damazine weapons training, whether passive or active, and in
maintaining contact with individuals who were active terrorists who were
connected to either Mr. Bin Laden or Dr. Al Zawahiri. Although actual format
membership has not been established, which would require proof that Mr. Mahjoub
swore allegiance to the group, such proof is not necessary in the context of a
security certificate proceeding. I am satisfied that Mr. Mahjoub’s links and
participation fit within the unrestricted and broad interpretation of “member”
for the purposes of paragraph 34(1)(f) of the IRPA.
[632] On the basis of the above
evidence as reflected in my finding, applying the principles of law discussed
in the legal framework section of these reasons, I find that the Ministers have
established reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Mahjoub was a member of the
AJ and its splinter or sub-group the VOC. Consequently, the Ministers have
satisfied the requirements of paragraph 34(1)(f) of the IRPA.
[633] Since the requirements provided
for in section 34 of the IRPA are disjunctive, my above finding is
determinative of the reasonableness of the certificate. I therefore find, on
the basis of the above conclusion, that the security certificate issued against
Mr. Mahjoub pursuant to subsection 77(1) of the IRPA is reasonable.
[…]
[668] During the 1996-1997 period,
when terrorists associated with the groups at issue seemed to be accumulating
in Canada, and during the 1998-2000 period after the AJ became a member of the
Islamic Front with Al Qaeda and the fatwa against Americans and their allies
was issued, Mr. Mahjoub maintained contact from Canada with established or
suspected terrorists either in Canada or abroad: Mr. Khadr, Mr. Al Duri, Mr.
Jaballah, and in particular Mr. Marzouk XXXXXXXXXX. Importantly, the contacts
abroad, Mr. Khadr and Mr. Al Duri, were Canadian citizens. I have found that
there are reasonable grounds to believe that all of these individuals with the
exception of XXXXXXXXX Mr. Jaballah, including Mr. Mahjoub himself, were
present in Canada or had free access to Canada and were involved with terrorist
groups committed to killing US allies including Canadians. These facts
establish that AJ members in Canada were a threat to Canadians.
[669] I find that these facts
establish reasonable grounds to believe that prior to his arrest, as a member
of the AJ and its splinter or sub-group the VOC, Mr. Mahjoub was a danger to
the security of Canada.
Note: The redactions are the ones appearing
on the public reasons.
[17] As the above reference to the Reasons
for Judgment and Judgment indicate, the AJ (Al Jihad) and VOC (Vanguards of
Conquest) are described by Justice Blanchard as important terrorist groups
which were active in Egypt and had direct links and relationships with Osama
Bin Laden and Al Qaeda (see also paragraph 177 and following of the
Reasonableness Decision).
[18] On December 17, 2013, as a result of an
application filed by Mr. Mahjoub to remove all conditions of release of
detention except for a few, Justice Blanchard concluded: “I am satisfied that
Mr. Mahjoub poses a threat to the security of Canada as described in my Reasons
for Order dated January 7, 2013” and concluded that the conditions of release
should not change except for small adaptations towards the use of calling
cards. He also took note that Mr. Mahjoub was in technical breach of his
conditions of release by not informing CBSA that he had acquired a mobile
phone, but it was not a significant breach as Mr. Mahjoub had not used it. He
also found that when Mr. Mahjoub opted to cut off the GPS bracelet himself
instead of letting CBSA remove it without destroying it, Mr. Mahjoub did not
breach any conditions but indicated an “unwillingness” to cooperate with the
CBSA (see Mahjoub (Re), 2013 FC 1257, at paragraphs 5, 6, 16, 17 and 18
[2013 Blanchard J. (December)]).
[19] In May 2014, I stipulated that Mr.
Mahjoub must give his computer password to the CBSA as the conditions of
release granted CBSA access to it (see Mahjoub (Re), 2014 FC 479 [2014
Noël J. (May)]). To this Court, it was evident that Mr. Mahjoub’s attitude was
indicative of a lack of collaboration and cooperation. His attitude does not
help the CBSA fulfil its supervisory mandate as required by this Court’s Order.
[20] A little more than six (6) months after
Justice Blanchard’s last set of reasons on the review of conditions of
detention, Mr. Mahjoub filed another application to review the conditions of
release. He essentially requested the same outcome, namely that all conditions
be repealed except for a few usual ones. This Court then made the following
findings (see Mahjoub (Re), 2014 FC 720 [2014 Noël J. (July)]):
D. The elements of trust and
credibility related to the behaviour of the Applicant after having being
released with conditions and his compliance with them
57 The
behaviour of an individual with respect to the conditions of his release is an
important factor to consider when considering amending them or some of them. In
Harkat (Re), 2009 FC 241 at para 92, [2009] FCJ No 316, the Court had this to
say on this factor:
[92] Credibility and trust are essential considerations in any judicial
review of the appropriateness of conditions. When considering whether
conditions will neutralize danger, the Court must consider the efficacy of the
conditions. The credibility of and the trust the Court has in a person who is
the subject of the conditions will likely govern what type of conditions are
necessary.
58 Mr.
Mahjoub's record regarding his most recent conditions of release has not been
exemplary, as noted by the Court in its December 17, 2013 review of conditions
order, when it concluded that Mr. Mahjoub had breached his condition of release
by not giving proper notice of the acquisition and use of the telephone and fax
services. It was found that: "[...] Mr. Mahjoub cannot be relied upon to
respect his conditions of release." (December 17, 2013 review of
conditions order at para 18).
59 In
that same decision, again as recently as December 2013, the Court also found
that in relation to the cutting of the GPS bracelet and not permitting the CBSA
to remove the bracelet without being damaged, Mr. Mahjoub's actions were:
"[...] indicative of an unwillingness to cooperate with the CBSA."
(see para. 17)
60 Mr.
Mahjoub's recent attitude, action and behaviour are also indicative of an
unwillingness to collaborate and cooperate with the supervision duty of the
CBSA that the Court has imposed. Here are a few examples of this:
A.
January 2014 -- Mr. Mahjoub, although obligated to do so by section 7 of his
conditions of release, did not give correct information to the CBSA concerning
his travel from Toronto to Ottawa. Through counsel, the Applicant gave the
wrong departure time which prevented the CBSA from assuming its supervisory
role. The reasons given to explain this failure, to the effect that it was the
error of counsel and that the CBSA should have informed Mr. Mahjoub of the
discrepancy, are not accepted. Mr. Mahjoub was required by section 7 of his
conditions of release to give accurate information when traveling, and it is
not for the CBSA to compensate for a lack of accuracy. Still, because of that
blatant failure by Mr. Mahjoub to provide accurate factual information, the
CBSA was rendered unable to assume its supervisory role as the Court so
required. This is another indication showing a lack of collaboration and
cooperation on his part.
B. Mr.
Mahjoub has failed to provide the Startec toll records as requested by the CBSA
pursuant to paragraph 11(b) of the conditions of release for the period of use
between January 31, 2014 and February 21, 2014, and he has yet to do so. This
matter was submitted to the Court sometime in late spring 2014. Paragraph 11(b)
of the conditions of release is clear: Mr. Mahjoub has the obligation to supply
the Startec toll records for this three-week period. Again, this is another
example of Mr. Mahjoub's lack of collaboration and cooperation. As for the
Startec toll records for the year 2013, pursuant to paragraph 11(a) of the
January 31, 2013 conditions of release, even though being asked to consent, Mr.
Mahjoub still has not given consent. The reason he gives is that the CBSA
should not gain retroactive access to these toll records. Furthermore, the
Applicant has not given notice that he was using Startec as required by that
condition of release. He argues that the CBSA knew of this account and should
have asked them earlier. This argument does not relieve Mr. Mahjoub of his
obligation to consent to the release of these toll records as required by the
Court pursuant to paragraph 11(a) of his conditions of release. Again, this is
not an attitude that shows collaboration and cooperation as the conditions of
release so require. By acting in such a way again, Mr. Mahjoub decides that the
CBSA will not assume its supervisory role as requested by the Court.
C.
Pursuant to paragraph 10(f) of the 2014 conditions of release, Mr. Mahjoub must
give full access to his computer to the CBSA without notice, which includes the
hard drive and the peripheral memory, and the CBSA may seize the computer for
such purpose. On April 24, 2014, when requested by the CBSA, Mr. Mahjoub did not
give the immediate access. He had the CBSA representative wait at the door and,
as he went back to his computer, he appeared to be seen for a period of two
minutes to be doing something to his computer. The condition compels Mr.
Mahjoub to give access and control to the CBSA without notice. He did not. He
also objected to the taking of photographs by the CBSA, when the purpose of the
picture is to wire the computer in the same way when it is brought back and to
document any damage on the computer. This is standard procedure for the CBSA
and an understandable policy to be followed. In addition, Mr. Mahjoub refused
to provide any USB devices for inspection as required by paragraph 10(f) of his
conditions of release which stipulates not only the examination of the computer
but also all peripheral memory devices. This is very close to a breach of the
condition if not a breach. Finally on this matter, Mr. Mahjoub objected to
giving his password to access his computer. This Court wrote Reasons for Order
and Order obligating Mr. Mahjoub to do so (see Mahjoub (Re), 2014 FC 479
and more specifically paragraph 21). To this Court, it was evident that the
password had to be given for the purpose of examining the computer. What was
evident to this Court, however, was not to Mr. Mahjoub. This type of attitude
can only show a lack of collaboration and cooperation, and not only is this is
not helpful to Mr. Mahjoub's interest, but it also complicates and possibly
makes it impossible for the CBSA to assume its supervisory role as the Court
requires in the Conditions of Release of both 2013 and 2014.
61 Mr.
Mahjoub explains that his attitude is intended to ensure that his conditions of
release are limited to what they are and that his privacy is respected. These
are, to some degree, valid grounds, but they must not be used to the point of
taking the essence of the conditions of release away from their purposes and
preventing the supervision of the use of communication devices, computers and
other modes of transmission of data, information and images. Without proper
supervision by the CBSA, conditions of release become useless.
[58]
The Applicant, the Respondents and the Special
Advocates allege new facts in these proceedings, including the two summaries of
classified information released January 14, 2016 and June 6, 2006, and the underlying
confidential information contained therein. The Ministers filed the report on
the inspection of Mr. Mahjoub's computer provided on May 31, 2016, and an
affidavit filed by the Ministers concerning clearing mobile phone data.
[59]
The Applicant filed an affidavit which explains
the hardship he suffers from the conditions of release. He expresses depression
and anxiety he feels from the constant surveillance and fear of possibly
breaching his conditions of release, as well as the isolated life he is forced
to live. The Applicant also describes his involvement in volunteer work trying
to find lodgings for Syrian refugee families in the Greater Toronto Area. The
Applicant argues his current conditions do not allow him to fulfill the duties
he would otherwise be fulfilling, such as traveling outside Toronto to
translate or to visit potential lodgings.
[60]
The Applicant also notes there have been no new
CSIS risk assessments since 2011, and the reasonableness of the Security
Certificate as found by Justice Blanchard is not fully reflected in the
contents of that risk assessment. CBSA did not file a risk assessment for this
hearing.
[61]
Of note also is the recent Reference re
subsection 77(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), 2016
FC 586 decision of Justice Hansen who found that the underlying Security
Certificate in respect of Mr. Jaballah was not reasonable. This could mean that
at least one person named in the Applicant's old risk assessment as a terrorist
contact was not, reasonably, a terrorist.
[62]
The Applicant was cross-examined by the
Respondents at the hearing and re-examined by his counsel. Issues
[63]
This matter raises the following issues:
1.
What type of review should this Court conduct?
2.
Has the Minister met its burden to show
reasonable grounds to believe, if that is the correct test, that the Applicant
continues to pose a serious risk to national security?
3.
If so, what conditions of release meet the
factors laid out in Charkaoui v Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2007 SCC
9 at paras 110-117 and the jurisprudence of this Court?
III.
Relevant Provisions
[64]
Section 82(5) of the IRPA states:
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,
SC 2001, c 27
|
Loi sur
l’immigration et la protection des réfugiés,
LC 2001, ch 27
|
82(5) On review,
the judge:
|
82(5) Lors du contrôle, le juge:
|
(a) shall order the person’s detention to be continued if the
judge is satisfied that the person’s release under conditions would be
injurious to national security or endanger the safety of any person or that
they would be unlikely to appear at a proceeding or for removal if they were
released under conditions; or
|
a) ordonne le
maintien en détention s’il est convaincu que la mise en liberté sous
condition de la personne constituera un danger pour la sécurité nationale ou
la sécurité d’autrui ou qu’elle se soustraira vraisemblablement à la
procédure ou au renvoi si elle est mise en liberté sous condition;
|
(b) in any other
case, shall order or confirm the person’s release from detention and set any
conditions that the judge considers appropriate.
|
b) dans les
autres cas, ordonne ou confirme sa mise en liberté et assortit celle-ci des
conditions qu’il estime indiquées.
|
IV.
Analysis
[65]
The first issue to be addressed is whether the
Applicant is a danger. The parties agree that a danger finding is critical to
the imposition of conditions of release from detention. The Applicant says that
the fact CSIS no longer considers him a threat to the security of Canada
pursuant to the CSIS Act, and that this means in effect that he is no
longer a danger pursuant to the IRPA. His legal team puts his danger at
negligible or zero. They argue there is no evidence to support a finding of
danger. I disagree; the object and purposes of the two statutes (CSIS Act
and IRPA) are manifestly different. Danger in the sense of endangering
others is a requirement of the IRPA, and specifically of paragraph
85(2)(a) of IRPA. While a CSIS threat assessment may ground a finding of
danger under the IRPA, the absence of a threat assessment under the CSIS
Act does not preclude the Court from finding danger under the IRPA.
In other words, danger under IRPA may be found in the absence of a
finding that finding that a person is a threat to the security of Canada under
the CSIS Act.
A.
What is danger, how is it defined?
[66]
I accept the definition of danger as it is
defined by the Supreme Court of Canada in Suresh v Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration), 2002 SCC 1, [2002] SCJ No 3, in the context
of the expression “danger to the security of Canada”.
To constitute danger, there must be a serious threat, grounded on objectively
reasonable suspicion based on evidence and in the sense that the threatened
harm must be substantial rather than negligible said the Supreme Court of
Canada:
90. […] a person constitutes a
"danger to the security of Canada" if he or she poses a serious
threat to the security of Canada, whether direct or indirect, and bearing in
mind the fact that the security of one country is often dependent on the
security of other nations. The threat must be "serious", in the sense
that it must be grounded on objectively reasonable suspicion based on evidence
and in the sense that the threatened harm must be substantial rather than
negligible.
[67]
Justice Noël in his Conditions of Release Decision,
October 30, 2015, dealing with the same Applicant and same statutory scheme as
in the case at bar, addressed the definition of danger and in my respectful
view set out the appropriate legal tests and approach on a review of conditions
of release, including burden of proof pressed by Applicant’s counsel:
[51] The definition of “danger to the
security of Canada” was consistently followed by all judges of this Court for
the purposes of reviewing detention, reviewing conditions of release, and
determining the validity of the security certificate (see Dawson J. in Mahjoub,
July 2003, supra; and in Mahjoub (Re), November 2005, supra; see
Noël J. in Harkat v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration),
2006 FC 628, [2006] FCJ No 770, at paragraphs 54-59; and in Charkaoui (Re),
2005 FC 248, [2005] FCJ No 269, at paragraph 36; and in Harkat (Re), supra,
March 2009, at paragraphs 42-43; see Mosley J. in Mahjoub (Re), supra,
at paragraph 106; and in Almrei (Re), 2009 FC 3, [2009] FCJ No 1, at paragraphs
47-48; etc.).
[52] The initial burden to establish the
danger to the security of Canada, for the purpose of assessing danger in
regards to release from detention, is on the Ministers (see Charkaoui n° 1,
supra, at paragraph 100). The Supreme Court of Canada further noted, at
paragraph 105 of that same decision, that detention pending deportation may be
lengthy and indeterminate, or that release with onerous conditions may also be
lengthy and indeterminate depending on the facts of each case.
[53] The facts alleged by both parties
pertaining to the danger, or not, Mr. Mahjoub poses to the security of Canada
are to be determined by facts that “[…] are grounded on an objectively
reasonable suspicion […]” and are to be assessed on a standard of reasonable
grounds to believe as clearly expressed in Charkaoui n° 1, at paragraph
39:
39. […]
The "reasonable grounds to believe" standard requires the judge to
consider whether "there is an objective basis ... which is based on
compelling and credible information": Mugesera v. Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration), [2005] 2 S.C.R. 100, 2005 SCC 40, at para.
114. "Reasonable grounds to believe" is the appropriate standard for
judges to apply when reviewing a continuation of detention under the
certificate provisions of the IRPA. The IRPA therefore does not
ask the designated judge to be deferential, but, rather, asks him or her to
engage in a searching review.
The same approach and logic should be
followed for reviews of conditions of release of detention. I do not read the
teaching of the Supreme Court of Canada referred to above in Suresh and Charkaoui
n° 1 as suggesting a different approach. On the contrary, they both
complement each other. The designated judge has to perform the searching review
based on an objectively reasonable suspicion anchored on facts showing that
harm resulting from the danger is substantial and not merely negligible. This
searching review must be completed on the standard of “reasonable grounds to
believe” as clearly mentioned in Charkaoui n° 1. This is the approach
followed by Justice Blanchard in all of his reviews of conditions of release
pertaining to Mr. Mahjoub (see Mahjoub (Re), supra, November
2009, at paragraphs 35-44; Mahjoub (Re), supra, May 2011, at
paragraphs 17-23; Mahjoub (Re), supra, January 2013, at
paragraphs 13-16).
[54] If a danger to the security of Canada
is found through the process referred to in the preceding paragraphs, then the
designated judge must determine if the said danger to the security of Canada is
such that no release of detention conditions can neutralize the danger. If
indeed, no conditions can neutralize the danger, detention is called for. If to
the contrary, the designated judge considers that appropriate conditions may
neutralize the danger to the security of Canada, the Court must ask itself what
are conditions of release of detention that, on a proportionality basis with
the danger assessed, will neutralize the assessed danger. The Court must ensure
the release will not be injurious to national security, endanger the safety of
any person, and that the conditions will also insure the presence of the named
person at a proceeding or for removal if necessary (see Charkaoui n° 1, supra,
at paragraphs 109, 111, 116, 117, 120, 122 and 123; Harkat v Canada (Minister
of Citizenship and Immigration), 2006 FC 628, 278 FTR 118; confirmed by the
Federal Court of Appeal in Harkat v Canada (Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration), 2006 FCA 259, 270 DLR (4th) 35, at paragraphs 37-46, 48).
[68]
I must also consider the type of review required
in determining appropriate conditions of release. One issue is of course, what
has changed. But the law requires more. In Charkaoui v Canada (Citizenship
and Immigration), 2007 SCC 9 [Charkaoui I], the Supreme Court of
Canada said:
117 In other words, there must be
detention reviews on a regular basis, at which times the reviewing judge should
be able to look at all factors relevant to the justice of continued detention,
including the possibility of the IRPA’s detention provisions being
misused or abused. Analogous principles apply to extended periods of
release subject to onerous or restrictive conditions: these conditions must be
subject to ongoing, regular review under a review process that takes into
account all the above factors, including the existence of alternatives to the
conditions.
(…)
122 Reviewing judges have also
developed a practice of periodic review in connection with release procedures: Charkaoui
(Re), 2005 FC 248, at para. 86. In the immigration context, such periodic
reviews must be understood to be required by ss. 7 and 12 of the Charter.
The Federal Court of Appeal has suggested that once a foreign national has
brought an application for release under s. 84(2), he or she cannot bring a new
application except on the basis of (i) new evidence or (ii) a material change
in circumstances since the previous application: Almrei, 2005 FCA 54;
see also, Ahani, at paras. 14-15. Such an interpretation would lead to a
holding s. 84(2) is inconsistent with ss. 7 and 12; however, since s. 84(2)
has already been found to infringe s. 9 and cannot be saved under s. 1, it is
not necessary to decide this issue.
123 In summary, the IRPA,
interpreted in conformity with the Charter, permits robust ongoing judicial
review of the continued need for and justice of the detainee’s detention
pending deportation. On this basis, I conclude that extended periods of
detention pending deportation under the certificate provisions of the IRPA
do not violate s. 7 or s. 12 of the Charter, provided that reviewing
courts adhere to the guidelines set out above. Thus, the IRPA procedure
itself is not unconstitutional on this ground. However, this does not preclude
the possibility of a judge concluding at a certain point that a particular
detention constitutes cruel and unusual treatment or is inconsistent with the
principles of fundamental justice, and therefore infringes the Charter
in a manner that is remediable under s. 24(1) of the Charter.
[emphasis added]
[69]
In terms of what is required by this robust review,
I accept what Justice Noël stated in his Conditions of Release Decision,
October 30, 2015, where he explains that robust reviews demand a complete
understanding of past reasons and their underlying motives, as well as findings
of danger, findings of non-compliance or near non-compliance, and findings of
an overall uncooperative attitude are factors to consider when determining
whether to ease the conditions of release:
[21] I have made a brief history of
past Reasons for Order and Judgment and included extracts of those which I find
pertinent for the present review. The Supreme Court of Canada calls for robust
reviews. Part of meeting this obligation is met when the designated judge
reviewing the application has a complete understanding of past reasons and
their underlying motives. Robust review demands not only to consider factors
favourable to the named person. All other factors associated to the named
person, as found in previous decisions, must also be considered. Notably,
findings of danger, findings of non-compliance or near non-compliance, and
findings of an overall uncooperative attitude are factors that militate against
easing conditions of release. For the purpose of reviews, the designated judge,
equipped with such factual knowledge of the past and of the present, must
assess the different legal issues and ultimately render a decision.
[70]
Finally, in order to identify the exact
conditions for the release of detention, the Court must perform its analysis by
referring to the following criteria:
1. Past decisions relating to danger and the history of the proceedings
pertaining to reviews of detention and release from detention with conditions.
2. The Court's assessment of the danger to the security of Canada
associated to the Applicant in light of the evidence presented.
3. The decision, if any, on the reasonableness of the certificate.
4. The elements of trust and credibility related to the behaviour of
the Applicant after having been released with conditions and his compliance
with them.
5. The uncertain future as to the finality of the procedures.
6. The passage of time (in itself not a deciding factor).
7. The impact of the conditions of release on the Applicant and his
family and the proportionality between the danger posed and the conditions of
release.
See Conditions of
Release Decision, October 30, 2015 at para. 55, Harkat v Canada (Minister of
Citizenship and Immigration), 2013 FC 795, [2013] FCJ No 860, at paragraph
26; and Charkaoui n° 1, supra, at paragraphs 110-121; and Harkat v
Canada (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration), 2007 FC 416, [2007] FCJ
No 540, at paragraph 9.
[71]
I now review each of these factors:
1. Past
decisions relating to danger and the history of the proceedings pertaining to
reviews of detention and release from detention with conditions.
[72]
Justice Noël summarized the recent review of
conditions of release in his decision of October 30, 2015, as follows:
[80] We have already reviewed: the past
decisions relating to the procedures, the reviews of detention, and the reviews
of conditions of release of detention. For the purposes of the present review,
we shall only reference the most recent certificate proceeding; save a
reference to reasons dealing with a review of conditions of detention issued by
Justice Mosley in February 2007.
[81] In that February 2007 decision,
Mr. Mahjoub was released from detention on stringent conditions akin to house
arrest. Justice Mosley had assessed that Mr. Mahjoub did not demonstrate he no
longer posed a danger to national security. In the following review of the conditions
of release, Mr. Mahjoub did not challenge the findings of Justice Mosley nor
the findings of Justice Layden-Stevenson, the following designated judge who
initially dealt with the second certificate proceeding. Justice
Layden-Stevenson reviewed all of the conditions of release and concluded that
they were to be adapted to the ongoing situation (see Mahjoub, supra, March
2009).
[82] As a result of his wife and
stepson relinquishing their roles as supervising sureties, Mr. Mahjoub was once
again put under detention until new conditions of release could be worked out.
[83] In the reasons issued in November
2009, Justice Blanchard ordered Mr. Mahjoub’s release upon conditions that
became actualized in March 2010. In that decision, Justice Blanchard reviewed
the evidence and concluded that, with the passage of time, and as a consequence
of the lengthy detention, the danger associated to Mr. Mahjoub had lessened.
That was the reason for relaxing the conditions of release. On May 2, 2011,
Justice Blanchard issued another set of reasons concerning the review of the
conditions of release. After determining that the danger found was neutralized
by the conditions of release, the judge reviewed the conditions in favour of
some form of relaxation. Mr. Mahjoub wanted all the conditions struck, but the
conclusions were otherwise. The conditions were thus again adapted, not struck.
Another review of the conditions of release was held in the later part of 2011
and reasons were issued in February 2012 (see Mahjoub (Re), 2012 FC 125).
[84] The conditions of release of
detention of January 2013 were significantly altered as the danger assessed
then by Justice Blanchard was found to have diminished (see paragraph 35).
[85] After issuing the Reasonableness
Decision in October 2013, Justice Blanchard, as mentioned earlier, issued a new
review of the conditions in December 2013. The danger was found to be the same
as in the 2013 assessment. Findings of a breach to the conditions were such
that Justice Blanchard wrote: “[…] Mr. Mahjoub cannot be relied upon to respect
his conditions of release” (see paragraph 18). Furthermore, some of his actions
were found “[…] to be indicative of an unwillingness to cooperate with the
CBSA” (see paragraph 17).
[86] In July 2014, the undersigned,
after hearing the parties on the review of the conditions of release in early
July, issued reasons which similarly assessed the danger associated to Mr.
Mahjoub. The undersigned assessed the danger to be the same as the one assessed
by Justice Blanchard in his Reasonableness Decision and in his review of the
conditions of release of late December 2013. Counsel for Mr. Mahjoub argues
that the last assessment of danger was wrongly performed as it relied on the
assessment of danger of Justice Blanchard. Such was not the case, as can be
seen from a reading of all of the reasons issued. As seen earlier, the
conditions of release remained save for a few adaptations. The undersigned also
issued another set of reasons in late spring 2014 which found that Mr. Mahjoub’s
record and attitude concerning his recent conditions of release were not
exemplary and showed he was not cooperative, some of the same conclusions that
Justice Blanchard had arrived at earlier.
[73]
Justice Noël summarized the danger as of his
October 30, 2015, Review of Conditions and determined that the danger to the
security of Canada associated to Mr. Mahjoub has not evaporated and that his
danger remained latent, perceptible and factual:
[78] The danger to the security of
Canada associated to Mr. Mahjoub now is certainly not comparable to the danger
assessed in the past. But, is it such that it does not exist anymore? I am of
the opinion that it has diminished through the years. But, since the January
2013 review of the conditions where it was found to have diminished
“significantly”, I do not find any major indicators that it has further
diminished importantly. To come to this conclusion, as demonstrated above, I
have reviewed the confidential and public evidence which shows the concerns
that remained then still exist today. The danger to the security of Canada
associated to Mr. Mahjoub has not evaporated; it remains latent, perceptible
and factual. Mr. Mahjoub’s conditions of release as they were
conceptualized and amended by Justice Blanchard are working and did neutralize
the danger then assessed. Lifting all conditions does not guarantee the danger
Mr. Mahjoub poses will be appropriately neutralized. I am thus not ready to
grant Mr. Mahjoub the relief he seeks except for what is said below. [emphasis
added]
[74]
I should add that every review by every Judge of
the Applicant’s detention and subsequent conditions of release from detention
has determined that he is a danger. I have carefully reviewed these decisions. While
not determinative, they weigh on my finding that the Applicant is a danger;
most assuredly he was in the past and has continued to be considered a danger
by this Court over its many reviews of his detention, and after his release, of
his conditions of release. These findings certainly suggest the Applicant
remains a danger. Therefore, a valid question remains: what if anything has
changed to justify cancelling entirely or substantially modifying, or amending
the existing conditions of release. There is a second question also: if he is
not a threat is it because the Applicant has changed over time, or is it
because the conditions of release have succeeded in neutralizing what danger he
presents?
2. The
Court's assessment of the danger to the security of Canada or to other persons
associated to the Applicant in light of the evidence presented.
[75]
In this connection, the Ministers have the
initial burden to establish danger. The facts must show that the danger is
serious, grounded in an objectively reasonable suspicion, and that the
potential harm resulting from the said danger is substantial rather than
negligible as set out in Suresh. In my view, the Ministers have
satisfied that burden.
[76]
Weighing the evidence, if the burden is met, is
to be performed on “reasonable grounds to believe”,
as set out in Charkaoui No. 1. In my view there are reasonable grounds
to believe and I find that the Applicant remains a danger to national security
and to the safety of other persons as provided in the IRPA. Nothing
suggests that he has changed in any material respect. While he may have been
more respectful of his conditions of release, and somewhat less demanding of
those charged with their administration, this does not mean that unsupervised
he is no longer a danger. His danger is diminishing as it has in the past. In
my view this is a result of the appropriate and balanced conditions of release
in place not transformation on his part.
[77]
In my view, his danger has not evaporated, gone
to zero or become negligible as alleged by counsel. Instead his conditions of
release have been effective. In my respectful view, this is not an argument to
remove them; instead, their effectiveness militates strongly in favour of
maintaining existing conditions with reasonable and proportionate adjustments
as the evidence permits.
[78]
I have considered the fact that CSIS has recently
concluded that the Applicant is no longer a threat to the security of Canada so
far as it is concerned, i.e., pursuant to the CSIS Act, upon which the
Applicant places heavy reliance. I certainly count this in his favour. However,
as noted above, CSIS opinions under the CSIS Act while obviously
important are not necessary for a danger assessment under the IRPA.
Their absence does not negative a danger finding by this Court under IRPA.
This is one of the many factors that I must and will consider.
[79]
I also have considered the fact that CBSA did
not file a danger assessment. But again, at this stage in the Applicant’s
history with this Court such is not necessary. In my respectful view the danger
presented by the Applicant may but by no means necessarily arises only out of
recent (as opposed to past) acts manifesting danger, disobedience, disrespect
of authority or malfeasance. If that were the case, merely respecting
conditions of release would eventually entitle any such person to be relieved
of all conditions of release. To allow that is to ignore the reasonableness of
the Ministers’ decision to issue a security certificate in the first place, and
its subsequent judicially review and approval as reasonable by this Court – a
decision which has not been set aside. While I do not rely on it exclusively,
neither may the Reasonableness Decision and the factual findings underlying it,
be wished away as the Applicant asks.
[80]
I appreciate that Justice Hansen recently held
the security certificate against Mr. Jaballah was unreasonable in Reference
re subsection 77(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA),
2016 FC 586. With respect however, that finding does not assist the Applicant
for two reasons. First, any reasonableness decision is of necessity heavily
fact-dependent. Second, and directly to the point, Justice Blanchard’s
Reasonableness Decision deliberately refrains from drawing conclusion on
evidence concerning Mr. Jaballah at para 231:
[231] Concerning the second allegation,
upon reviewing all of the evidence on the record, I have determined that there
is sufficient evidence to convince me that the security certificate is
reasonable without deciding the issue of whether Mr. Jaballah was engaged in
terrorism or a member of a terrorist organization. As this is the case, and as
there is an ongoing security certificate proceeding against Mr. Jaballah, I
shall therefore only lay out the evidence relevant to Mr. Jaballah’s
involvement in terrorism and terrorist organizations as it was presented to the
Court and refrain from concluding on that evidence.
[emphasis added]
[81]
Therefore Justice Hansen’s decision does not
materially change matters affecting the Applicant.
[82]
I also had the benefit of seeing and hearing the
Applicant testify; he has not testified before this Court for almost 20 years.
He did not testify before Justice Blanchard in the Reasonableness Decision
hearing, nor did he testify on any previous reviews of his conditions of
release so far as I can determine.
[83]
I wish to note that during the Applicant’s
cross-examination by the Minister, I was asked to rule on the scope of a
cross-examination on an applicant’s affidavit filed in a review of his
conditions of detention, and the use of previous answers given on prior examinations
filed in proceedings in this Court. Regarding cross-examination on affidavits,
I followed the decision of Justice Mosley in Re Almrei 2009 FC 3 at para
71:
The jurisprudence is to the effect that
cross-examination is not restricted to the “four corners” of the affidavit so
long as it is relevant, fair and directed to an issue in the proceeding or to
the credibility of the applicant. However, should an accused testify
voluntarily in a previous proceeding, that testimony may be used by the Crown to
cross-examine the accused in trial for all purposes [R. v. Henry, 2005
SCC 76, [2005] S.C.J. No. 76].
[84]
Credibility is an issue in this proceeding.
Justice Mosley concluded his analysis at paragraph 75:
In the present context, questions as to
whether as to whether Mr. Almrei constitutes a danger to Canada’s national
security and his credibility remain live issues in the detention review.
Accordingly, should he testify or submit his affidavit, I concluded that the
Ministers are entitled to cross-examine Mr. Almrei with regard to these issues
and on the basis of his prior statements and testimony subject to the
constraints of relevance and fairness.
[85]
Also regarding cross-examination on prior
testimony, I followed Justice Dawson (as she then was) in Re Jaballah,
2010 FC 224, who stated at paragraph 93:
For this reason, if Mr. Jaballah chooses to
testify in this proceeding, the Ministers may cross-examine him upon any prior
statement made in previous security certificate proceedings.
[86]
And I note that the statements at issue before
Justice Dawson were made under the regime that was subsequently declared
unconstitutional according to the Charter in Charkaoui I. Justice
Blanchard in a related proceeding involving the Applicant, adopted “… Justice Dawson’s findings relating to any and all legal
determinations in the Reasons for Order and Order, dated February 26, 2010”,
to which I have just referred.
[87]
Frankly, I was not impressed with the
Applicant’s evidence and attach little weight to it. His strategy, as
implemented by his counsel, was to repeatedly interrupt Ministers’ counsel
during his cross-examination. Each interruption, some of which not even framed
as objections, had the effect of buying time for the Applicant to reply and
sheltering him from legitimate cross-examination. At various times his
counsel’s many interruptions bordered on suggesting strategies and even answers
to the Applicant.
[88]
These interruptions were continued notwithstanding
the wide scope afforded to a cross-examiner, the stringent limits that are placed
on interruptions during cross-examination, and even the Court’s admonitions.
[89]
Eventually the Applicant through counsel moved
from interruptions that were expressly not objections to interruptions framed
as objections, and did so repeatedly. These interruptions intensified as the
Ministers’ counsel moved into each new area. In my view, most if not almost all
of the Applicant’s objections were without merit.
[90]
I also note the Applicant testified through a
translator, although he quite frequently answered in English, and in what I
consider very good English.
[91]
In my view, multitudinous meritless
interruptions during cross-examination and being led in re-direct had the
cumulative effect of greatly diminishing the Applicant’s credibility. These
strategies made it difficult for the Court to find and assess the real Mr.
Mahjoub before it. Justice Noël at one point observed that the Applicant might
have ‘something to hide’. The Applicant’s testimony
at the hearing taken as a whole also had the effect of again hiding the
Applicant from the Court; my concerns about his being a danger were not tempered
in any way.
[92]
In his factum the Applicant specifically asked
to be allowed to visit gun stores. When cross-examined, his answers were
defensive and argumentative. He betrayed a profound misunderstanding of his
reality. He asked to be treated like any other person in Canada. However he is
not like any other person (“any other citizen”
according to his counsel): he is not a Canadian citizen, he is a foreign
national who is inadmissible under the IRPA. He is a person against whom
a security certificate has been issued, which security certificate was issued
under legislation found constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada. And his
security certificate was upheld as reasonable after a very lengthy review
conducted by Justice Blanchard which stands unless and until it is contradicted
on appeal.
[93]
Further, when questioned about his admitted
lying before Justice Nadon (as he then was), the Applicant forcefully took the
position that he had a good reason to lie to this Court, i.e., he lied to
protect someone else. The Applicant does not accept that lying is not allowed.
He showed no real remorse. His answers show he does not fully accept his duties
as a witness. In my respectful opinion his testimony confirmed he would perjure
himself again if he thought he had a good reason to do so; the Applicant
mistakenly sees himself as the arbiter of when he may lie and when he tells the
truth to this Court. That is a disturbing flaw in his relationship with this
Court which casts further doubt on his credibility.
[94]
The Applicant also admitted in cross-examination
that he used the alias Shaker in connection with the activities discussed in
Justice Blanchard’s Reasonableness Decision. On multiple occasions prior to
that decision, the Applicant had denied using the alias Shaker in CSIS
interviews, and disputed that point before Justice Blanchard. In the end,
Justice Blanchard concluded there was “insufficient
evidence to establish that Mr. Mahjoub used the alias Shaker”. Justice
Blanchard said of this finding that it was “critically
important that no basis whatsoever is provided by [the Ministers] XXXXXXXXXXXX for
connecting Mr. Mahjoub with the alias Shaker”, at para 248. We now know
that the Applicant did use the alias Shaker. This admission was not made before
Justice Blanchard. In my view, based on the public record, this admission
supports the allegation that the Applicant was at the very least a Mujahideen
fighter. In my view this admission, had it been before Justice Blanchard, could
have made a significant difference to the Reasonableness Decision: Justice
Blanchard himself ruled that his inability to find the Applicant used the
Shaker alias was “critically important.”
[95]
The evidence leads me to conclude not that the
Applicant has ceased to be a danger, but that the danger remains. His danger to
the extent it has been reduced came about not by any transformation on his
part, but by the conditions of his release. That is not an argument to do away with
those conditions but instead, and in my respectful view, is an argument to
maintain them to neutralized the danger, as intended by section 85 of the IRPA.
3. The decision, if
any, on the reasonableness of the certificate.
[96]
I am entitled to look at but not to rely
exclusively on the Reasonableness Decision of Justice Blanchard and do so now
noting that his decision is the result of lengthy hearings and argument by
counsel and the Special Advocates. It has not been overturned or varied in any
way. While under appeal, the Applicant does not appear to be advancing his
appeal – and it is his appeal to prosecute – with any great diligence; the
Reasonableness Decision is now more than two and a half years old and his
appeal was not yet set down for hearing at the time of the hearing.
[97]
Justice Blanchard made the following findings in
his Reasonableness Decision: see:
c)
Conclusion on membership
[627] Upon considering the evidence
holistically, and on the basis of substantiated and reasonable inferences, I
find that the Ministers have established reasonable grounds to believe that Mr.
Mahjoub is a member of the AJ and its splinter or sub-group, the VOC.
[628] In so
determining I rely on my findings set out above which include:
a. That the AJ and VOC existed as terrorist organizations at
the relevant times;
b. Mr. Mahjoub had contact in Canada and abroad with AJ and
VOC terrorists;
c. Mr. Mahjoub used aliases to conceal his terrorist
contacts;
d. Mr. Mahjoub was dishonest with Canadian authorities to
conceal his terrorist contacts;
e. Mr. Mahjoub worked in a top executive position in a Bin
Laden enterprise alongside terrorists in Sudan at a time when key terrorist
leaders were in Sudan;
f. Mr. Mahjoub was dishonest in concealing from Canadian
authorities the nature of his position at Damazine Farm;
g. Mr. Mahjoub travelled to and from Sudan at the same time
as AJ and Al Qaeda elements, and
h. XXXXXXXXXX [Some of the direct
evidence] that Mr. Mahjoub was a member of the AJ and Mr. Mahjoub’s intercepted
conversation support the Ministers’ allegation.
[629] In my determination, I have also
relied upon the following inferences relating to Mr. Mahjoub’s travels and
activities. These include:
a. Mr. Mahjoub’s contacts were of a
terrorist nature;
b. Mr. Mahjoub had a close and
long-lasting relationship with a number of his terrorist contacts;
c. Mr. Mahjoub was trusted by Mr.
Bin Laden on the basis of his ties to the Islamic extremist community;
d. Mr. Mahjoub was aware of and
complicit in Al Qaeda weapons training occurring at Damazine Farm, and
e. Mr. Mahjoub’s travels to and from
Sudan at the same time as AJ elements were not coincidental.
[630] I am satisfied that even without
the direct evidence XXXXXXX and from the intercepted conversation, my decision
would not change.
[631] On the basis of the above findings,
I am satisfied that Mr. Mahjoub had an institutional link with the AJ and
knowingly participated in that organization. While there is a dearth of
compelling and credible evidence explicitly linking Mr. Mahjoub with the VOC, I
am satisfied that the evidence establishes an institutional link and knowing
participation in the faction of the AJ led by Dr. Al Zawahiri, which eventually
aligned itself with Al Qaeda and continued to be militant after many members of
the AJ had declared a ceasefire. I have found that this faction was likely
known as the VOC, at least at some point in its history. Mr. Mahjoub was linked
with this faction of the AJ and Al Qaeda through his employment at Althemar,
his travels, and his terrorist contacts in Canada. This link was active and
enduring for many years. He knowingly participated in this network through his
involvement in the Damazine weapons training, whether passive or active, and in
maintaining contact with individuals who were active terrorists who were
connected to either Mr. Bin Laden or Dr. Al Zawahiri. Although actual formal
membership has not been established, which would require proof that Mr. Mahjoub
swore allegiance to the group, such proof is not necessary in the context of a
security certificate proceeding. I am satisfied that Mr. Mahjoub’s links and
participation fit within the unrestricted and broad interpretation of “member”
for the purposes of paragraph 34(1)(f) of the IRPA.
[632] On the basis of the above evidence
as reflected in my findings, applying the principles of law discussed in the
legal framework section of these reasons, I find that the Ministers have
established reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Mahjoub was a member of the
AJ and its splinter or sub-group the VOC. Consequently, the Ministers have
satisfied the requirements of paragraph 34(1)(f) of the IRPA.
[redactions in original]
[98]
Likewise, I have read and rely on the subsequent
reviews by this Court of conditions of release all of which have concluded, as
recently as October 30, 2015, that the Applicant is and remains a danger. I
have quoted from Justice Blanchard’s summary in his Reasonableness Decision. It
stands until it is varied or set aside on appeal. The findings are powerful and
are a significant factor against the Applicant and his request to be relieved
of all by the usual conditions of release.
4. The
elements of trust and credibility related to the behaviour of the Applicant
after having been released with conditions and his compliance with them.
[99]
The Applicant’s credibility was challenged by
this Court when he last appeared before it to give evidence almost 20 years ago
in 1997. It also has been challenged in the intervening two decades. In today’s
reasons, I found his evidence to be of little weight when he testified in June
2016. This must count against his wish to have all but the usual conditions set
aside.
[100] Justice Noël summarized credibility issues facing the Applicant in
his July 18, 2014 review of conditions of release from detention, 2014 FC 720;
however much the Applicant wishes I am not able to pretend these concerns away:
[57] The behaviour of an individual
with respect to the conditions of his release is an important factor to
consider when considering amending them or some of them. In Harkat (Re),
2009 FC 241 at para 92, [2009] FCJ No 316, the Court had this to say on this
factor:
[92] Credibility and trust are
essential considerations in any judicial review of the appropriateness of
conditions. When considering whether conditions will neutralize danger, the
Court must consider the efficacy of the conditions. The credibility of and the
trust the Court has in a person who is the subject of the conditions will
likely govern what type of conditions are necessary.
[58] Mr. Mahjoub’s record regarding his
most recent conditions of release has not been exemplary, as noted by the Court
in its December 17, 2013 review of conditions order, when it concluded that Mr.
Mahjoub had breached his condition of release by not giving proper notice of the
acquisition and use of the telephone and fax services. It was found that: “[…]
Mr. Mahjoub cannot be relied upon to respect his conditions of release.” (December
17, 2013 review of conditions order at para 18).
[59] In that same decision, again as
recently as December 2013, the Court also found that in relation to the cutting
of the GPS bracelet and not permitting the CBSA to remove the bracelet without
being damaged, Mr. Mahjoub’s actions were: “[…] indicative of an unwillingness
to cooperate with the CBSA.” (see para. 17)
[60] Mr. Mahjoub’s recent attitude,
action and behaviour are also indicative of an unwillingness to collaborate and
cooperate with the supervision duty of the CBSA that the Court has imposed.
Here are a few examples of this:
January 2014 – Mr. Mahjoub, although
obligated to do so by section 7 of his conditions of release, did not give
correct information to the CBSA concerning his travel from Toronto to Ottawa.
Through counsel, the Applicant gave the wrong departure time which prevented
the CBSA from assuming its supervisory role. The reasons given to explain this
failure, to the effect that it was the error of counsel and that the CBSA
should have informed Mr. Mahjoub of the discrepancy, are not accepted. Mr.
Mahjoub was required by section 7 of his conditions of release to give accurate
information when traveling, and it is not for the CBSA to compensate for a lack
of accuracy. Still, because of that blatant failure by Mr. Mahjoub to provide
accurate factual information, the CBSA was rendered unable to assume its
supervisory role as the Court so required. This is another indication showing a
lack of collaboration and cooperation on his part.
Mr. Mahjoub has failed to provide the
Startec toll records as requested by the CBSA pursuant to paragraph 11(b) of
the conditions of release for the period of use between January 31, 2014 and
February 21, 2014, and he has yet to do so. This matter was submitted to the
Court sometime in late spring 2014. Paragraph 11(b) of the conditions of
release is clear: Mr. Mahjoub has the obligation to supply the Startec toll
records for this three-week period. Again, this is another example of Mr.
Mahjoub’s lack of collaboration and cooperation. As for the Startec toll
records for the year 2013, pursuant to paragraph 11(a) of the January 31, 2013
conditions of release, even though being asked to consent, Mr. Mahjoub still
has not given consent. The reason he gives is that the CBSA should not gain
retroactive access to these toll records. Furthermore, the Applicant has not
given notice that he was using Startec as required by that condition of
release. He argues that the CBSA knew of this account and should have asked
them earlier. This argument does not relieve Mr. Mahjoub of his obligation to
consent to the release of these toll records as required by the Court pursuant
to paragraph 11(a) of his conditions of release. Again, this is not an attitude
that shows collaboration and cooperation as the conditions of release so
require. By acting in such a way again, Mr. Mahjoub decides that the CBSA will
not assume its supervisory role as requested by the Court.
Pursuant to paragraph 10(f) of the
2014 conditions of release, Mr. Mahjoub must give full access to his computer
to the CBSA without notice, which includes the hard drive and the peripheral
memory, and the CBSA may seize the computer for such purpose. On April 24,
2014, when requested by the CBSA, Mr. Mahjoub did not give the immediate
access. He had the CBSA representative wait at the door and, as he went back to
his computer, he appeared to be seen for a period of two minutes to be doing
something to his computer. The condition compels Mr. Mahjoub to give access and
control to the CBSA without notice. He did not. He also objected to the taking
of photographs by the CBSA, when the purpose of the picture is to wire the
computer in the same way when it is brought back and to document any damage on
the computer. This is standard procedure for the CBSA and an understandable
policy to be followed. In addition, Mr. Mahjoub refused to provide any USB
devices for inspection as required by paragraph 10(f) of his conditions of
release which stipulates not only the examination of the computer but also all
peripheral memory devices. This is very close to a breach of the condition if
not a breach. Finally on this matter, Mr. Mahjoub objected to giving his
password to access his computer. This Court wrote Reasons for Order and Order
obligating Mr. Mahjoub to do so (see Mahjoub (Re), 2014 FC 479 and more
specifically paragraph 21). To this Court, it was evident that the password had
to be given for the purpose of examining the computer. What was evident to this
Court, however, was not to Mr. Mahjoub. This type of attitude can only show a
lack of collaboration and cooperation, and not only is this is not helpful to
Mr. Mahjoub’s interest, but it also complicates and possibly makes it
impossible for the CBSA to assume its supervisory role as the Court requires in
the Conditions of Release of both 2013 and 2014.
[61] Mr. Mahjoub explains that his
attitude is intended to ensure that his conditions of release are limited to
what they are and that his privacy is respected. These are, to some degree,
valid grounds, but they must not be used to the point of taking the essence of
the conditions of release away from their purposes and preventing the
supervision of the use of communication devices, computers and other modes of
transmission of data, information and images. Without proper supervision by the
CBSA, conditions of release become useless.
[62] Through his behaviour, Mr. Mahjoub
may give to a neutral observer of this situation an impression that he has
something to hide. This is not only hurtful to the condition of release but it
also impacts negatively on Mr. Mahjoub, should his intention be to eventually
have the least conditions of release possible imposed on him. The trust and
credibility components related to the behaviour of the Applicant when dealing
with conditions of release are factors to be considered. It is in the interest
of Mr. Mahjoub that he collaborates and cooperates in making sure that the
conditions of release are complied with and that the supervisory role of the
CBSA confirms the compliance.
[101] In his review of conditions for release from detention of October
30, 2015, Justice Noël repeated what he had found the previous year, adding
further:
[92] Again, in order to prevent
duplication, I have already dealt with this factor in the reasons issued July
2014, at paragraphs 57-62, and I consider them still applicable to the present
review.
[93] I find it important to repeat what
was said at paragraph 62 of that decision: Mr. Mahjoub does not accept the
conditions of release of detention and that is perfectly acceptable. Having
said that, it does not give him the latitude to contest them by not cooperating
with the CBSA. This attitude creates an impression that he has something to
hide and does not at all enhance his credibility and trustworthiness. Again,
these components can work in his favour if he wants them to.
[94] For the purposes of this review of
conditions of release, Mr. Mahjoub, in his affidavit, at paragraphs 34-37,
maintains that he is hiding the names of persons he meets because disclosing
such names would make them subject to government scrutiny. Regarding these comments,
the Court refers to the public summary of information issued in July 2015 but
also to the confidential information supporting it. The conditions as they
exist require the CBSA to assume a supervisory role in order to ensure Mr.
Mahjoub does not re-establish contacts with terrorist associates. Such
secretive behaviour does not help Mr. Mahjoub; it is counter-productive to his
aim of obtaining release or dismissal of his conditions of release.
[95] Another example that indicates an
overly critical attitude towards the CBSA is the covering or not of shoes when
officials of the CBSA visited his residence. Last year, in 2014, Mr. Mahjoub
complained that the officials wore plastic bags over their shoes and that by
doing so they gave observers the impression that his home was a crime scene or
was contaminated. For the purposes of this review, at paragraph 28 of his
affidavit, Mr. Mahjoub complained that the officers of the CBSA kept their
shoes on while in his house and “[…] failed to wear shoe coverings to protect
the cleanliness of my floors”. No logical explanation was given to explain such
a blatant contradiction. Said attitude again does not help his cause.
[96] Mr. Mahjoub criticizes the
supervisory role of the CBSA concerning mail delivery, notably complaining that
his Startec and Rogers invoices were not delivered. This Court has reviewed the
evidence filed by both parties on this matter. It is not the role of the
undersigned to become an investigator and to find a guilty party. Past
decisions have determined that this condition of supervising mail was important
to ensure that no illicit communication could occur. Mr. Mahjoub does not
accept the existence of this condition as clearly reflected here. The CBSA
filed evidence of logs and other documents that indicate the flow of mail;
there are no indicators that some of the mail has been extremely slowly
transmitted. To this Court, the way to solve this issue would be for Mr.
Mahjoub to call the officers of the CBSA when mail does not arrive. Invoices
could also be forwarded via the internet. This Court does not accept the
response of Mr. Mahjoub that online billing is not acceptable to him. Recently,
another issue arose concerning mail from ODPS not arriving. The Ministers
responded that the CBSA was not to be blamed. Again, this Court will not become
an investigator; such is not its role. Mr. Mahjoub should speak to ODPS,
inquire about the issue, inform the CBSA and arrive at a solution. As it will
be shown, these mail-related conditions will not be maintained going forward.
[97] There is no doubt that the
supervision of the conditions cannot be perfect; there are bound to be some
mishaps. When they occur, Mr. Mahjoub should deal with the officers of the CBSA
and not let the issue become an insurmountable problem. Dialogue and finding
solutions are keys to potentially further modifying the conditions.
[98] Ultimately regarding this factor,
the Court would like to re-emphasize that the trust and the credibility of Mr.
Mahjoub, like for any other named person under the certificate scheme, are
important. These components must be concretely considered and applied.
[102] Set against these matters, in the current review, the Ministers had
little to complain of in terms of the Applicant’s very recent behaviour. They
noted he was overly critical concerning the fixing of his computer’s power
supply, which while damaged by CBSA was fixed in a day. That said, in my view
this confirms that the present conditions of release from detention are
working.
[103] At the hearing the Applicant interrupted his cross-examination to
raise an irrelevant issue; I did not allow him to do so but he was given that
opportunity in re-direct at which time he spoke forcefully about what was said
in certain government emails concerning his decision to cut off his ankle
bracelet, even though this Court has already ruled that did not breach his
conditions of release. His point seemed to be that his credibility is not
accepted, government officials are not criticized for allegedly misleading
emails. This is an irrelevant issue for two reasons. First, there is no
connection between the Applicant’s credibility and the conduct of government
officials; his obligation to be truthful is absolute and not conditional on
what others may say or do; he is mistaken to suggest otherwise. Secondly, his
public cutting off of his ankle bracelet has already been considered and
adjudicated upon.
[104] This Court has said that matters of trust, credibility and
compliance may work in the Applicant’s favour, and that it is up to the Applicant
to do more in these respects. While he did not accomplish that in his oral
testimony, the evidence of his conduct since the last review including the
classified evidence, warrants further relaxation of the conditions.
5. The
uncertain future as to the finality of the procedures.
[105] Justice Noël commented on this in his July 2014 review of conditions
of release from detention:
[63] As long as there are robust,
periodic reviews of detention or of conditions of release, long periods of
detention or of release with conditions that impact on the life and rights of
an individual do not constitute violations of the Charter (see Charkaoui
v Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2007 SCC 9 at para 123, [2007] SCJ
No 9).
[64] The Court has rendered the
Reasonableness Decision as well as other decisions concerning the Applicant,
including on the abuse of process and a permanent stay of the proceedings. The
procedures have now been moved in good part to the appeal level, and the
Federal Court of Appeal will be dealing eventually with any issues arising from
the Notice of Appeal or from the appeal itself. The Applicant is benefiting
from the appeal procedure and time has to be reserved for such process.
[65] There have been and continues to
be ongoing reviews of the conditions of release of Mr. Mahjoub. Reviews of the
conditions of release were held and decisions were rendered in January 2013,
December 2013 and January 2014 and in the summer 2014 (the current decision).
Over a period of a little more than 18 months, Mr. Mahjoub has had three
hearings dealing with reviews of the conditions of release and three decisions.
[66] Undertaking robust reviews of the
conditions of release from detention does not necessarily mean granting Mr.
Mahjoub what he wants. It requires a careful examination of the conditions of
release and their necessity, i.e. ensuring not only that they are required to
neutralize the assessed danger but that they impact minimally on the rights and
freedom of the Applicant. In order to go along with less invasive conditions,
it must be shown (1) that the danger has diminished and (2) that the conditions
neutralize the lessened danger. In this regard, the Applicant has a strong
interest in collaborating and cooperating so that the supervision of the
conditions shows that they are respected. With such evidence, then it can be
argued that the conditions are not necessary. This is what a robust review is
all about.
[106] In his Conditions of Release Decision, October 30, 2015, Justice
Noël repeated these comments, adding:
[100] Counsel for Mr. Mahjoub argues that
the conditions existing in Egypt which may subject him to torture or other
inhumane treatment renders non enforceable the removal order issued against him
as a result of the certificate being found reasonable. As a result, the
conditions of release should be lifted for being unreasonable and arbitrary.
[101] The appeal process is unfolding as
it should and no final, determinative decision has been rendered. This argument
may perhaps be relied upon in the future, but it is not appropriate at this
stage; it therefore cannot be retained.
[107] I agree that this aspect of the analysis is not appropriate at this
stage and therefore does not count for or against the Applicant.
6. The
passage of time.
[108] This is not a deciding feature, but it is always relevant. In my
view, the passage of time counts in the Applicant’s favour in terms of
lessening the conditions of his release from detention.
7. The
impact of the conditions of release on the Applicant and his family and the
proportionality between the danger posed and the conditions of release.
[109] In previous decisions, the Court has underscored the rationale for
restricting and monitoring the Applicant’s activities as set out in many of the
conditions including communications and travel. An underlying concern has been
to prevent the Applicant from acquiring or re-acquiring terrorist contacts: Mahjoub
(Re), 2013 FC 10 at para 47; Mahjoub (Re), 2014 FC 720 at para 76; Mahjoub
(Re), 2015 FC 1232 at paras 94, 113. This is also part of the objective in
designing appropriate and balanced conditions in the current review. It is a
reality from which the Applicant may not yet be free.
[110] I accept the need to prevent the Applicant from acquiring or
re-acquiring terrorist contacts. As such I agree with the Ministers’ submission
that it is important that the Court continue to provide CBSA with a supervisory
role to ensure that the Applicant’s activities are monitored particularly his
communications but more generally as well.
[111] Balanced against this and on the personal level, the Applicant
raises his health concerns on this review as he did at previous reviews, as
reported by Justice Noël in his Conditions of Release Decision, October 30,
2015:
[103] In this section, I intend to
comment on the perceived impact of the conditions of release of detention on
Mr. Mahjoub. I shall also address the proportionality between the danger posed
by Mr. Mahjoub and the conditions of release, therefore attempting to minimize
the encroachment on his privacy but at the same time keeping in perspective the
goal of neutralizing the said danger.
[104] Going back to his first period of
detention and up to now, Mr. Mahjoub’s health has often been a factor that
designated judges dealt with. Whether it was a short period of detention, a
long period of detention, release from detention with conditions as strict as
house arrest, or conditions that have lessened with time and as the danger
evolved, the matter of the health of Mr. Mahjoub and the impact of the
detention or the conditions of release of detention had on his overall
well-being was constantly assessed as past decisions have shown (see Mahjoub
– November 2005, supra, at paragraphs 11, 37; Mahjoub – February 2007,
supra, at paragraphs 76-82; Mahjoub (Re) – November 2009, supra, at
paragraphs 115 and following; Mahjoub (Re) – January 2013, supra, at
paragraphs 22-28; Mahjoub (Re) – December 2013, supra, at paragraph 11; Mahjoub
(Re) – July 2014, supra, at 70-72).
[105] The last set of Reasons for Order
of July 2014 was shown to Dr. Donald Payne for his most recent report of May
14, 2015, which is part of the evidence of Mr. Mahjoub for the present review.
The reasons disqualifying his last report, as noted in July 2014 at paragraphs
70 to 72, will not be reproduced, but are referred to because Dr. Payne replies
to them in his new report. For the purposes of the May 2015 report, Dr. Payne
saw Mr. Mahjoub once for one hour and 45 minutes; no specific tests were done.
[106] In response to the comments made on
his prior reports filed for the past reviews, Dr. Payne explains that the
purpose of his reports is “[…] to show the degree of his [Mr. Mahjoub’s]
frustrations and demoralization around the limitation in his life” and he says
that: “[...] I cannot make any comment on the factuality of his concerns”.
[107] I do agree with Dr. Payne when he
expresses how Mr. Mahjoub describes himself in his way of dealing with the
conditions during his daily life and the frustrations that he gets from their
actualization. As for the diagnosis made, this Court had taken them in
consideration at the earlier review.
[108] There is no doubt the daily life of
Mr. Mahjoub is affected by the actualization of the conditions of release of
detention; it is easily understandable. That being said, first, the undersigned
simply does not understand the doctor’s writings where Mr. Mahjoub related that
he considers his conditions of release of detention “worse” than the ones when
he was “[…] in house arrest”. The conditions of release being reviewed are in
no way comparable to the “house arrest” of 2007. Second, Dr. Payne’s comments
recognize that Mr. Mahjoub has approached the conditions of release and their
supervision by the CBSA with a “[…] longstanding adversarial relationship with
CBSA, with the conflicts around the conditions perpetuating the adversarial
relationship”. The doctor went on to say that this may “[…] lead to him being
seen as uncooperative”. This surely does not help Mr. Mahjoub’s own situation
and also does not make it any easier for everyone involved such as the CBSA and
the designated judges that have been involved in these reviews. In the
submissions of counsel for Mr. Mahjoub at paragraph 56, it is recognized that:
“[…] The conditions imposed on Mr. Mahjoub have been significantly changed by the
Federal Court […]”. Surely this must also be taken in consideration by Mr.
Mahjoub and should have been by Dr. Payne in his report. This important
statement is not considered at all.
[109] This last comment on being seen
“uncooperative” is also reflected in past decisions and reviews, going back as
early as 2009 and as recently as 2013-2014 (see Mahjoub – March 2009,
supra, at paragraph 150; and Mahjoub (Re) – December 2013, supra, at
paragraph 17; and Mahjoub (Re) – May 2014, at paragraphs 18-21).
[110] If I were to follow what Dr. Payne
proposes as a result of his diagnostic, but also as he reads Mr. Mahjoub, I
would cancel all of the conditions of release of detention. No other
proposition was made. But, where does such an approach leave the objective of
identifying conditions that would help neutralize the danger as it is assessed?
Surely, it cannot be that because of his health as the doctor perceives it to
be, the danger as assessed is to be left aside. There must exist, in the
medical field, tools that could alleviate health concerns while maintaining a
balance with the societal issues and goals that are legislatively required to
be taken into account. Contrary to what I have seen in other medical reports of
a similar nature, this doctor’s report does not prescribe, suggest, nor discuss
any medical therapies that would be called for in such a situation. It would
have been helpful.
[111] Having defined the danger and
analysed proportionality in light of it, the second step is to determine
appropriate conditions of release. These conditions must proportionally address
the said danger in such a way as to minimally intrude on the privacy of Mr.
Mahjoub. I refer the reader to paragraphs 67-79 of this present review in
regards to the danger as assessed and also to paragraphs 57-66 concerning
proportionality of the concept of danger to conditions minimally impairing the
right to privacy of Mr. Mahjoub.
[112] The Applicant filed no new evidence in this connection because he
says funding was not obtained. He says in his affidavit he feels depressed,
anxiety and has trouble sleeping. He says he lives a reclusive life because
others who might associate with him fear they will fall under CBSA or CSIS
surveillance. He says that until the conditions are completely removed he will
continue to live an emotionally precarious life and suffer loss of dignity and
privacy.
[113] Notwithstanding these concerns, in his cross-examination he admitted
to having gone on a cross-Canada fundraising and speaking tour in 2013, and
attended other events including media interviews to publicize his case in 2013
and 2014. On balance I find that the Applicant is able to get out, travel and
speak to supporters when he wants to, notwithstanding his feelings of being
depressed and anxiety. I give this factor some weight to his health issues in
the analysis of what is reasonable and proportionate in the circumstances.
8. Pending
Appeal Has Merit.
[114] The Applicant raised the merits of his pending appeal as a factor
the Court should consider. I agree there may be additional factors to consider.
This is not the first time this has been raised. He has appealed to the Federal
Court of Appeal against the Reasonableness Decision of Justice Blanchard. At
the hearing, the Court was told the appeal had not yet been perfected
notwithstanding a delay of some two and one half years or more. While it is
clearly the Applicant’s appeal to advance, I received no satisfactory
explanation for why the Applicant has not advanced his appeal further over this
long period of time.
[115] The Applicant asked the Court to consider the merits of his appeal
(and others he has launched) as factors in favour of removing all but peace
bond conditions. The Applicant argued by way of analogy to section 679(3)(a) of
the Criminal Code which legislatively provides as a condition to the
grant of judicial interim release (bail) pending an appeal to an appeal court
in criminal cases, that the appeal “is not frivolous”.
There is, however, no such provision in IRPA. I was also referred to
authorities regarding civil stays including RJR Macdonald Inc v Canada
(Attorney General), 1994] 1 S.C.R. 311 which sets out the well-known ‘not frivolous’ test as the first of three
requirements for a stay of proceedings, which is often invokes in IRPA
proceedings pending, for example, judicial review.
[116] I find no merit in these arguments. The resolution of his appeal
rights is for the Federal Court of Appeal to determine, not this Court to do on
a review of his release conditions. I do not see how a non-frivolous exercise
of an appeal right in respect of the Reasonableness Decision gives the
Applicant a right to have his conditions of release relaxed. There is no logic
in the submission, and I respectfully decline to give it effect. It may be
relevant under the Criminal Code, but is irrelevant in sui generis
immigration proceedings under the IRPA such as this.
B.
Review of Conditions
[117] With the above in mind, I will review the conditions of release from
detention in general terms. In going through these areas of conditions, I
caution that I am dealing in summary or shorthand form only; the specific
wording of each provision and conditions attached thereto forms part and parcel
of this Order and are specifically detailed in Schedule “A” to this Order which
must be read with this summary and it is the Order that sets out the actual
conditions.
(1)
Agreement to comply with each of the
conditions
[118] This is not in dispute because the Applicant would likely be obliged
to accept this condition even if he only had to be of good behaviour and keep
the peace.
(2)
Sureties and performance in case of breach
a. $20,000.00 paid in Court by three (3)
individuals;
b. And performance bonds signed by six (6)
individuals varying between $1,000.00 and $20,000.00 for a total amount of
$46,000.00.
[119] Again in my view this is not contestable as similar conditions would
be required in any case given the seriousness of the matter i.e. the danger he
presents and its need for effective neutralization.
(3)
Reporting on a bi-weekly basis to the CBSA,
Mississauga
[120] This condition was reduced from weekly in October, 2015. It appears
to be working little disadvantage to the Applicant. In my view it is balanced
and proportionate and therefore will remain in place because a change is not
warranted at this time.
(4)
Residence to be a dwelling house or an
apartment unit without outside space
[121] This did not seem to be a matter of contention; in any event it will
remain to better enable compliance.
(5)
Outings without pre-approval by the CBSA in
the GTA area but not visit the retail establishment store that has as primary
function the supplying of internet access or the selling of firearms or weapons
[122] The Applicant made specific requests to remove with these two
conditions. In my view, neither should nor will they be changed.
[123] I see no rationale whatsoever to allow the Applicant to visit gun
stores, and the ban on internet cafes is of obvious usefulness in terms of
monitoring and compliance regarding use of his laptop and cell phone.
[124] More generally, I am mindful of the Applicant’s volunteer efforts in
connection with the arrival of refugees from Syria under programs offered by
the Government of Canada. The Applicant may travel without CBSA approval
throughout the entirety of the rather vast GTA to assist in this work; in my
respectful view travel within the GTA affords the Applicant more than enough
scope to pursue legitimate activities.
(6)
As for outings outside the GTA area only
within Canada, a notice of seven (7) days be given to CBSA containing a
detailed itinerary
[125] This will be changed. This condition is useful to allow CBSA and
other agencies to take necessary steps in terms of ensuring they have to
ability to staff and make appropriate arrangements. But the notice period is
shortened from 7 days to 5. This should entail less stress on the Applicant
should he wish to resume his activities outside the GTA.
(7)
Physical surveillance by the CBSA of his
residence or during outings can be done but conducted with the least intrusive
manner possible
[126] This continues to be necessary given the danger and the need to
neutralize it through conditions.
(8)
No communication with a person that Mr.
Mahjoub knows he is a supporter of terrorism or violent jihad or a person that
has a criminal record
[127] I am unable to see any reason why this should be amended, nor why
the Applicant would want to engage in such conversations in the first place. It
will not be changed. It is reasonable and proportionate.
(9)
Mr. Mahjoub can use a desk computer with
internet connection at his residence as long as he provides information about
the internet provider but cannot use wireless connection but may use skype
communication with the CBSA’s consent and in the presence of a supervising
surety
[128] This will be changed. Given the Applicant’s recent history of
compliance with conditions and his somewhat less hostile approach to those
responsible for their administration, and provided he does not erase Internet
tracking information from it, it is appropriate to allow the Applicant the
option of desktop or (new) a laptop computer. In addition the Ministers have
agreed that the presence of Court approved supervising sureties is not needed
at this time, and I agree.
[129] In this manner the Applicant will have access to social medial such
as Facebook and Twitter, and also to Skype, in addition to websites. This is a
significant relaxation in conditions. He may not delete Internet tracking
information as more fully detailed in Schedule “A”. As with all these
conditions, the details are set out in the attached Order at Schedule “A”.
(10)
Mr. Mahjoub may use conventional land-based
telephone and facsimile transmissions but shall give to the CBSA all pertinent
information for inspection purposes. He may also have a mobile phone with voice
capability and voice mail only, subject to pertinent information given to the
CBSA for inspection and supervision
[130] This will change; the Applicant is now given the option of having a
laptop computer with Internet, social media, Skype and website access, with
conditions. For the same reasons he should have access to a cell phone with
the same accesses, provided and I consider this of very great importance, that
he not delete Internet tracking information as more fully detailed in Schedule
“A”.
(11)
Mr. Mahjoub may use other landline, telephone
or mobile phone for emergency if required
[131] This is reasonable and proportionate given the above and will
therefore continue.
(12)
Incoming and outgoing mail shall be
intercepted by the CBSA
(13)
A mail box shall be used by the CBSA to
return the intercepted mail
[132] These two conditions were previously removed.
(14)
On reasonable grounds only that the
conditions had been breached, the CBSA may enter and search Mr. Mahjoub’s
residence
[133] This is reasonable and proportionate and will continue given my
findings.
(15)
No video of the CBSA shall be done by Mr.
Mahjoub or his representative when assuming their responsibilities pursuant to
the conditions of release
(16)
Any photographs or information gathered
pursuant to the conditions by the CBSA are to be safeguarded and not be
returned to third parties
[134] These two conditions are reasonable and proportionate and will continue
to protect the identities of those charged with administering the conditions,
and in the latter case, they protect the Applicant and his privacy rights.
(17)
His passport and travel documents shall
remain with the CBSA but Mr. Mahjoub may travel across Canada, as long as a
notice is given
[135] This is an ordinary condition regarding travel documents and is both
reasonable and proportionate. In terms of travel across Canada, however, this
will change. The Applicant may now travel outside the GTA on only 5 days’ notice
instead of the 7 days’ now required. This will give the Applicant more freedom
while maintaining an ability to ensure compliance with these conditions.
(18)
Mr. Mahjoub shall report if ordered to be
removed from Canada
(19)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not possess any weapons and
keep the peace and be of good conduct
(20)
If Mr. Mahjoub breaches any conditions, he
may be arrested and brought in front of a designated judge
[136] I would consider these to be normal and usual conditions even in a
peace bond for a person in the Applicant’s position; the provisions respecting
arrest and appearance are reasonable and proportionate given that these
conditions are made under the sui generis IRPA and its provisions.
(21)
If Mr. Mahjoub changes residence, a
prior-notice must be given
[137] This will change. Currently he must give 10 days’ notice of change
of residence, which is now reduced to 3 days’ notice. This will make moving
more normalized and reduce stress and delay; it is also balanced and
proportionate.
(22)
A breach of the conditions shall constitute
an offence within the meaning of section 127 of the Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c
C-45 and an offence pursuant to paragraph 124(1)(a) of the IRPA
[138] This is self-evident and is both reasonable and proportionate. It
will continue.
(23)
The conditions can be amended by a designated
judge
[139] This is for clarity and the benefit of both parties and is both
proportionate and reasonable.
V.
Certification of Questions
[140] As discussed at the outset, the Applicant raised constitutional
questions in this proceeding. I take those to be the questions to certify. The
Applicant could of course have argued the constitutional questions in June. And
as noted above, it was at the Applicant’s request that I deferred hearing
argument on those points in June when they would normally and perhaps in
hindsight should have been argued. Given the absence of a schedule, the reality
is that the Applicant of his own choosing has not dealt with these points, and
it is clear they cannot and are not dealt with at this time. If and when the
Applicant is in a position to argue the constitutional issues, I will deal with
them and revisit the certification issue. I will not certify a question.
VI.
Conclusion
[141] I have weighed the evidence and concluded that the Applicant remains
a danger. The danger has diminished as a consequence of the effectiveness of
the conditions of release from detention previously imposed, and to a lesser
extent due to the Applicant’s conduct. I have concluded that the existing
conditions of release may be relaxed as outlined in the summary at the
beginning of these Reasons and as detailed in Schedule “A” to this Order.
However I have also concluded that they may not be relaxed further at this
time. I have also concluded that the conditions of the Applicant’s release from
detention set out in Schedule “A”, proposed by the Ministers, are reasonable
and proportionate and take into account both the needs of Canadian society, the
interests of the Applicant, and the intent of Parliament.
[142] Therefore, the terms of the Applicant’s release from detention are as
set out in Schedule “A”.
ORDER
THIS
COURT ORDERS that:
1.
The Applicant's motion is granted to the extent
that his conditions of release from detention are varied to those set out in
Schedule “A”: SCHEDULE A CONDITIONS RESPECTING
THE RELEASE OF MR. MAHJOUB effective July 20, 2016, attached to this Order and
Reasons.
2.
The Applicant's request to argue the matters
outlined in his Notice of Constitutional Question is dismissed. with leave to
the Applicant to apply for a hearing for that purpose if as and when he has a
concrete proposal to place before the Court and has consulted with counsel for
the Respondents on such concrete proposal.
3.
No question is certified.
“Henry S. Brown”
SCHEDULE “A”
CONDITIONS RESPECTING THE RELEASE OF MR. MAHJOUB
July 20,
2016
I.
Agreement to Comply
A. Mr. Mahjoub shall comply and agree to comply
with each of the conditions set out in this Order.
II.
Sureties and Performance Bonds
A. The following sureties are maintained:
The sum of $20,000.00 is to be paid into Court pursuant to Rule 149
of the Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106. In the event that any term or
condition of the Order releasing Mr. Mahjoub is breached, an Order may be
sought by the Ministers that the full amount, plus any accrued interest, be
paid to the Attorney General of Canada. The following individuals have
collectively paid the sum into Court:
1)
Rizwan Wanchoo;
2)
John Valleau; and
3)
Russell Silverstein.
- The conditions on each of the performance bonds applicable to
the sureties shall be the same terms and conditions of guarantees and
acknowledgements in writing already provided to the Court, namely:
A. The following individuals shall execute performance bonds
by which they agree to be bound to Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada in
the amounts as specified below. The condition of each performance bond shall be
that if Mr. Mahjoub breaches any term or condition contained in the Order of
Release as it may be amended from time to time the sums guaranteed by the
performance bonds shall be forfeited to Her Majesty. The terms and conditions
of the performance bonds shall be provided to counsel for Mr. Mahjoub by
counsel for the Ministers and shall be in accordance with the terms and
conditions of guarantees provided pursuant to section 56 of the Immigration
and Refugee Protection Act, SC 2001, c 27 (IRPA), and Part 4 of the Immigration
and Refugee Protection Regulations, SOR/2002-227, dealing with deposits and
guarantees. Each surety shall acknowledge in writing having reviewed the terms
and conditions contained in this Order, and shall indicate in particular their
understanding with respect to this condition:
1)
El Sayed Ahmed $5,000.00;
2)
Murray Lumley $5,000.00;
3)
Maggie Panter $10,000.00;
4)
Elizabeth Block $1,000.00;
5)
Dwyer Sullivan $20,000.00; and
6)
John Valleau $5,000.00
- Reporting
A. Mr. Mahjoub shall report to the CBSA in person
on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. He shall report at the
Enforcement and Intelligence Operations Division, Canada Border Services
Agency, 6900 Airport Road, Entrance 93, Mississauga, Ontario, between the hours
of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. When traveling outside of the GTA, Mr. Mahjoub may fulfill
his reporting obligation by reporting in person to a place and at a time to be
agreed to in writing by the CBSA. If Mr. Mahjoub’s scheduled reporting date falls
on a statutory holiday or on a date that Mr. Mahjoub is scheduled to be in
Federal Court, the parties may agree on an alternate reporting date and provide
notice to the Court.
- Residence
A. The term “residence”
as used in these conditions refers exclusively to the dwelling house or
apartment unit and does not include any outside space associated with it.
- Outings within
the GTA
A. Mr. Mahjoub may leave his residence and travel within the
Greater Toronto Area (GTA) without pre-approval by the CBSA. These outings are
referred to as “Outings within the GTA” and are
subject to the following conditions:
1)
When Mr. Mahjoub leaves the residence for an
outing, he shall remain within the GTA, which for the purpose of these
Conditions, shall include the municipalities of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville,
Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Pickering and Ajax;
2)
When Mr. Mahjoub leaves the residence, he shall
not attend a retail establishment:
a)
whose primary function is to provide internet
access; or
b)
whose primary function is to sell fire arms or
weapons or which can be characterized as a “shooting
range” or “shooting club”.
- Other
Outings
A. Mr. Mahjoub may travel outside of the geographic boundary
set out in condition VI(A)(1) without approval by the CBSA subject to the
following conditions:
1)
Mr. Mahjoub must remain within Canada;
2)
Mr. Mahjoub must provide the CBSA with at least
five (5) business days’ written notice of any such outing. He must also provide
the CBSA with a detailed trip itinerary, which should include his proposed
destinations, travel routes, mode of transportation and locations where he will
be staying or visiting. Should Mr. Mahjoub require a change to his itinerary in
any way, he must contact the CBSA immediately and advise of the proposed
changes; and
3)
Condition VI(A)(2),
applicable to outings within the GTA, will also apply to other outings.
- Physical
Surveillance
A. Any physical surveillance conducted by the
CBSA of the exterior of the residence or of Mr. Mahjoub during outings will be
subject to CBSA Operations Policies and Procedures. For clarity, CBSA is
authorized to perform random physical surveillance of the exterior of the
residence or of Mr. Mahjoub during outings. The surveillance, if any, is to be
conducted in the least intrusive manner possible.
- Prohibited
Communications
A. Mr. Mahjoub shall not, at any time, or in any way,
communicate directly or indirectly with:
1)
any person whom Mr. Mahjoub knows, or ought to
know, supports terrorism or violent Jihad or who attended any training camp or
guest house operated by any entity that supports terrorism or violent Jihad;
and
2)
any person Mr. Mahjoub knows, or ought to know,
has a criminal record. This restriction does not apply to communications with
counsel in Egypt for the purposes of obtaining legal advice or a legal
proceeding in that country involving Mr. Mahjoub, or to communications with Mr.
Mahjoub's family members, namely his parents, siblings, spouse or children.
- Equipment
Capable of Communication and Internet Access
A.
Mr. Mahjoub may use one (1) desktop or one (1)
laptop computer with an Internet connection at his residence. No other computer
with Internet access shall be allowed in the residence. Should he elect to
obtain or use such a computer, the following conditions apply:
1)
Mr. Mahjoub may use either a cable or Wi-Fi
connection to obtain and access the Internet at his residence;
2)
Mr. Mahjoub must provide the CBSA with the name
of his Internet service provider;
3)
Mr. Mahjoub may obtain one electronic mail
(email) account under the following conditions:
a)
The email account must be web-based;
b)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not access his email through a
web browser. He shall only access his email through an email client such as
Outlook or Thunderbird, set up on his home computer;
c)
Mr. Mahjoub shall provide the email address,
username, and password, and any updates thereof, to CBSA immediately upon
setting up the email account;
d)
Mr. Mahjoub shall consent to CBSA, or any person
designated by it, having access, without notice, to his email account;
e)
Mr. Mahjoub must ensure that no one else, except
for him and CBSA or agents of CBSA, have access to his account;
f)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not alter or modify any sent
or received emails and he shall not delete any sent, received, or drafted
emails;
g)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not participate in any email
communication over which he can claim solicitor-client or litigation privilege;
4)
Mr. Mahjoub may access social media websites or
applications, such as Facebook and Twitter, and websites or applications that
facilitate online video chat, such as Skype, subject to the following
conditions:
a)
Mr. Mahjoub may obtain only one (1) account per
respective website or application;
b)
Mr. Mahjoub must obtain CBSA approval before
creating an account on any websites or applications that facilitate online
video chat, other than Skype;
c)
Mr. Mahjoub shall provide the username, and
password, and any updates thereof, to CBSA immediately upon setting up an
account;
d)
Mr. Mahjoub shall consent to CBSA, or any person
designated by it, having access, without notice, to his accounts;
e)
Mr. Mahjoub must ensure that no one else, except
for him and CBSA or agents of CBSA, have access to his accounts;
f)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not alter or delete records of
activity or records of communication on any websites or applications;
g)
Mr. Mahjoub may only access Skype using the
desktop application;
h)
Mr. Mahjoub must ensure that Skype settings are
such that all chat and call history are set to be saved “forever”;
i)
Mr. Mahjoub must notify the CBSA of the names
and Skype addresses of individuals with whom he wishes to communicate, one
month in advance of engaging in such communication;
j)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not participate in any
communication over these websites or applications over which he can claim
solicitor-client or litigation privilege;
5)
Mr. Mahjoub, or anyone on his behalf, shall not
alter or delete from his computer any Internet tracking information, including,
but not limited to, internet browsing history and cookies;
6)
Mr. Mahjoub may delete Internet tracking
information only on consent of the CBSA, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and be dealt with expeditiously following a request from
Mr. Mahjoub;
7)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not use the private browsing
feature of any Internet browser application including, but not limited to,
Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Chrome;
8)
The CBSA, or any person designated by it may
contact the Internet service provider(s) to obtain a report on Mr. Mahjoub's
Internet activity. Mr. Mahjoub shall consent to the CBSA or any person
designated by the Agency, obtaining these records from the service provider(s);
9)
Mr. Mahjoub shall permit any employee of the
CBSA or any person designated by it, to examine his modem, his router, and his
computer, including the hard drive and the peripheral memory and to seize the
computer, modem, router, and any peripheral memory devices for such
examination, subject to the following conditions:
a)
CBSA shall provide Mr. Mahjoub with 24 hours’
written notice prior to attending his residence for the purpose of examining
his computer;
b)
Mr. Mahjoub’s confirmation of receipt of prior
written notice is not required;
c)
At any other time, with justification, CBSA may
seek the Order of a Designated Judge to examine Mr. Mahjoub’s modem, router,
computer, hard drive and peripheral memory, without notice, for the purpose of
ensuring that he is complying with the conditions of this Order.
10)
Mr. Mahjoub may not store on his computer any
material over which he may claim solicitor-client or litigation privilege;
11)
Mr. Mahjoub’s use of the computer must be
subject to supervision. Mr. Mahjoub must ensure that any programs or websites
that he accesses permit supervision by CBSA or any person designated by it. If
necessary, prior to using a program or website, Mr. Mahjoub may seek CBSA’s
advice; and
12)
Mr. Mahjoub shall provide any and all passwords
to the CBSA immediately upon request.
B.
Mr. Mahjoub may use one (1) conventional
land-based telephone line located in his residence (telephone line) for both
voice and facsimile transmissions and one (1) mobile telephone. The following conditions
apply:
1)
Mr. Mahjoub shall provide to the CBSA the
applicable telephone number(s) and service provider(s) including any changes
thereafter to his telephone number(s) and service provider(s);
2)
The CBSA, or any person designated by the Agency
may obtain and monitor the telephone toll records from the service provider(s)
of Mr. Mahjoub's personal mobile and/or landline telephone service. Mr. Mahjoub
shall consent to the CBSA or any person designated by it, obtaining these
records from the service provider(s);
3)
Mr. Mahjoub is only permitted to use call
forwarding features to forward calls from his landline telephone to his mobile
telephone and from his mobile telephone to his landline telephone. He is not
permitted to use call forwarding features to forward calls from his landline
telephone or mobile telephone to any other telephone line;
4)
Should Mr. Mahjoub choose to acquire a mobile
telephone, the following additional conditions apply:
a)
Mr. Mahjoub may obtain a SIM Card mobile
telephone based on a make and model number previously approved by CBSA;
b)
The mobile telephone may have voice capability
and voicemail, but all other features must be disabled subject to these
Conditions, and the CBSA must verify that these features are disabled before
Mr. Mahjoub may use the mobile telephone;
c)
The mobile telephone may have text messaging
features enabled only on terms and conditions consented to by the CBSA, whereby
CBSA is able to verify the records of communications to and from Mr. Mahjoub.
CBSA’s consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;
d)
Mr. Mahjoub shall permit any employee of the
CBSA, or any person designated by it, to inspect his mobile phone at the CBSA’s
office;
e)
CBSA shall provide Mr. Mahjoub with 24 hours’
written notice prior to attending his residence for the purpose of obtaining
and examining his mobile phone;
f)
Mr. Mahjoub’s confirmation of receipt of prior
written notice is not required;
g)
At any other time, with justification, CBSA may
seek the Order of a Designated Judge for access to Mr. Mahjoub’s mobile telephone
without notice, for the purpose of ensuring that he is complying with the
conditions of this Order;
h)
When the CBSA obtains and inspects the mobile
phone, it will return the mobile phone to Mr. Mahjoub as soon as possible and
otherwise exercise this inspection authority reasonably;
i)
For clarity, when inspecting Mr. Mahjoub’s
mobile telephone, CBSA may not make outgoing calls or answer incoming calls.
CBSA may, among other methods, access, image, and store the entire contents of
Mr. Mahjoub’s mobile telephone, but may not read the contents of his
communications;
j)
Upon request, Mr. Mahjoub shall provide the CBSA
with all passwords required to access any part of the mobile telephone; any
Personal Identification Number (PIN) required to access his account information;
and to add CBSA as an authorized user on the account for the sole purpose of
CBSA obtaining information on the use of the mobile telephone;
k)
Mr. Mahjoub shall permit the CBSA to place a
seal over the SIM card once activated and inserted into the mobile telephone.
Mr. Mahjoub shall not use any SIM card in the mobile telephone other than that
which is associated with his monitored account;
l)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not use any internet features
on his mobile telephone. Internet data shall be blocked through the mobile
telephone provider. For greater certainty, this includes no use of web browsing
or email functions and no use or installation of any applications. Mr. Mahjoub
shall make best efforts to ensure that any Wi-Fi function remains turned off.
If, despite Mr. Mahjoub’s best efforts, the Wi-Fi function becomes enabled, Mr.
Mahjoub must immediately notify the CBSA;
m)
Mr. Mahjoub shall agree to pay the service
provider a fee, if necessary, to include data blocking;
n)
Mr. Mahjoub may not use any applications that
come pre-installed on the mobile telephone without prior approval of the CBSA.
Such approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;
o)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not use any external memory
devices with his mobile telephone. If Mr. Mahjoub’s mobile telephone has a memory
expansion slot, Mr. Mahjoub shall permit the CBSA to place a seal over the
slot;
p)
If Mr. Mahjoub’s mobile telephone has near field
exchange (NFC) and/or S-Beam functions, and or Bluetooth functions, he shall
make best efforts to ensure that these functions remain turned off. If enabled,
Mr. Mahjoub must immediately notify the CBSA;
q)
If Mr. Mahjoub’s mobile telephone has a screen
mirroring function, he shall make best efforts to ensure that this function
remains turned off. If, despite Mr. Mahjoub’s best efforts, the screen
mirroring function becomes enabled, Mr. Mahjoub must immediately notify the
CBSA;
r)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not update the mobile
telephone’s firmware or operating system without prior approval from the CBSA.
For further clarification, Mr. Mahjoub shall also make best efforts to ensure
that any software auto-update feature is turned off. If, despite Mr. Mahjoub’s
best efforts, the auto-update function becomes enabled, Mr. Mahjoub must
immediately notify the CBSA;
s)
Mr. Mahjoub shall not permit any other person to
use his mobile telephone;
t)
Mr. Mahjoub, or anyone on his behalf, shall not
alter or delete from his mobile telephone system information including, though
not limited to, application data, application usage information, data usage
information, Wi-Fi network logs, or any other cached information;
u)
Mr. Mahjoub may delete from his mobile telephone
system information only on consent of the CBSA, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld and be dealt with expeditiously following a request from
Mr. Mahjoub; and,
v)
Mr. Mahjoub may not store on his mobile
telephone any material over which he may claim solicitor-client or litigation
privilege.
5)
Mr. Mahjoub may use calling cards to make long
distance telephone calls subject to the following conditions:
a)
the calling card be must be reloadable;
b)
Mr. Mahjoub must provide the serial number and
Personal Identification Number (PIN) on such card to the CBSA prior to making
use of the calling card;
c)
that the service provider selected by Mr.
Mahjoub be capable of providing telephone toll records to the CBSA in a
reasonably timely manner on request by the CBSA;
d)
that Mr. Mahjoub consents on an ongoing basis to
the CBSA obtaining toll records from the service provider; and
e)
the issuance of an Order, on consent, a draft of
which is to be prepared jointly by the parties, providing for the delivery of
the toll records to the CBSA.
6)
Mr. Mahjoub is not to use any other mobile or
landline telephone, except in the event of an emergency, where he cannot
reasonably access his mobile or landline telephone. He is to inform the CBSA of
the use of a mobile or landline telephone, other than his own, as soon as
reasonably practicable and to provide the CBSA with the telephone number and
service provider, on consent of the third party.
C.
For clarity, except for one (1) internet router
that has Wi-Fi capability at his residence, one (1) desktop or one (1) laptop
computer with an Internet connection at his residence, as all defined in
condition X(A), one (1) conventional land-based telephone line located in his
residence, and one (1) personal mobile phone, as both defined in X(B), Mr.
Mahjoub may not, directly or indirectly, use any other device that is capable
of connecting to the Internet or sending wireless signals, including, but not
limited to, any radio or radio device with transmission capability or any
communication equipment or equipment capable of connecting to the Internet or
any component thereof, including any mobile telephone that is capable of
connecting to the Internet; any hand-held device, such as a BlackBerry or
iPhone; any gaming system, such as a Wii or PlayStation, that is capable of
accessing the Internet; any pager; any public telephone; any telephone other
than the landline at his residence or his mobile telephone; or any internet
facility.
- CBSA's Right
to Enter and Search
A. The CBSA, any person designated by the CBSA, or any peace
officer may enter and search Mr. Mahjoub's residence where there are reasonable
grounds to suspect that Mr. Mahjoub has breached the terms and conditions or
his release. Any item removed over which solicitor-client privilege is asserted
must be kept sealed until such time as it can be reviewed by the Court.
- Audio and
Video Recording
A. Neither Mr. Mahjoub nor any person in his residence shall make
a recording of CBSA officers, by video or audio device, while the officers are
carrying out their duties in monitoring compliance with the terms and
conditions of this Order.
- Photographs
Taken and Information Collected by the CBSA
A.
Any photographs taken by the CBSA in the course
of carrying out their duties in relation to Mr. Mahjoub are to be safeguarded
and shall not be released to any other entity unless a photograph depicts an
activity that is relevant to a threat there are reasonable grounds to suspect
is posed by Mr. Mahjoub or to a breach of any condition of release there are
reasonable grounds to suspect has occurred.
B.
Any personal information collected by or on
behalf of the CBSA in accordance with this Order is to be safeguarded. No such
information shall be released to any other entity unless it contains
information that is relevant to a threat posed by Mr. Mahjoub to national
security or to the safety of any person, or to a breach by Mr. Mahjoub of any
of his conditions of release.
- Passport and
Travel Documents
A. Mr. Mahjoub's passport and all travel
documents, if any, shall remain surrendered to the CBSA. Without the prior
approval of the CBSA, Mr. Mahjoub is prohibited from applying for, obtaining or
possessing any passport or travel document. For clarity, this shall not prevent
Mr. Mahjoub from traveling within Canada, as long as proper notice is given to
the CBSA pursuant to condition VII.
- Removal
Order
A. If Mr. Mahjoub is ordered to be removed from
Canada, he shall report as directed for removal. He shall also report to the
Court as it from time to time may require.
- Weapons
A. Mr. Mahjoub shall not possess any weapon, imitation
weapon, noxious substance or explosive, or any component thereof.
- Conduct
A. Mr. Mahjoub shall keep
the peace and be of good conduct.
- Arrest and
Detention
A. Any officer of the CBSA or any peace officer, who has
reasonable grounds to believe that any term or condition of this Order has been
breached, may arrest Mr. Mahjoub without warrant and cause him to be detained:
1)
Within 48 hours of such detention a Judge of
this Court, designated by the Chief Justice, shall forthwith determine whether
there has been a breach, whether the terms of this Order should he amended and
whether Mr. Mahjoub should be detained in custody; and
2)
If Mr. Mahjoub does not strictly observe each of
the terms and conditions of this order, he will be liable to detention upon
further order by this Court.
- Change of
Residence
A. Mr. Mahjoub must provide the CBSA with 3 business days’
prior written notice of any change of residence. His residence must be within
the GTA, as defined in condition VI(A)(1). Should Mr. Mahjoub wish to reside
outside of the GTA, he may apply to this Court for a variation of these
conditions of release.
- Offence
A. A breach of this Order shall constitute an offence within
the meaning of section 127 of the Criminal Code and shall constitute an offence
pursuant to paragraph 124(1)(a) of the IRPA.
- Amendment of
Order
A.
The terms and conditions of this Order may be
amended at any time by the Court upon the request of any party or upon the
Court's own motion with notice to the parties.