Canada considers Quebec woman with six children in Syria a security risk, lawyer says

Jun 26, 2023 | 2:45 PM

OTTAWA — A lawyer says Canada will not repatriate a Quebec woman being held in Syria with her six children because officials believe she poses a security risk.

Lawyer Lawrence Greenspon, who has been working to bring the woman home, says he was advised of the decision recently by Global Affairs Canada.

He says the department wrote June 21 that the woman has “extremist ideological beliefs” that may lead her to act violently, and the government cannot ensure no such conduct occurs.

Greenspon says the excuse is untrue and unacceptable, arguing the government could deal with the woman as needed through Canada’s justice system.