MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Alexander said the new law, which is an amendment to the Citizenship Act first introduced last June, was meant to ensure that those who "wish to do us harm will not be able to exploit their Canadian citizenship to endanger Canadians or our free and democratic way of life," as cited by The Canadian Press.
The rules will also apply to Canada’s dual nationals found guilty of terrorism, treason, and spying for a foreign government. Alexander emphasized that the law was specifically aimed at targeting the "ever-evolving threat of jihadi terrorism."
Canada has been tightening security in the wake of two terrorist attacks in October 2014 and growing concerns about increased recruitment efforts for terrorist organizations such as the ISIL.
A Canadian Border Security Agency report said recently that in 2014 Canadian authorities were aware of at least 130 nationals fighting in conflict zones abroad, including in Syria and Iraq, where there is heavy ISIL presence.
