Terrorism peace bond imposed on B.C. youth amid school threat investigation

An RCMP epaulette is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Police in British Columbia’s Interior region say a youth has been placed under a 12-month terrorism peace bond as authorities investigate an alleged violent extremist threat targeting local schools.

The RCMP says the investigation began during the Christmas break in December 2025, when officers became aware of “a potential incident associated to violent extremism” directed toward schools in the community of Salmon Arm.

Local police, with assistance from the federal RCMP and the regional emergency response team, executed a search warrant at a rural property on Dec. 30 and arrested the youth, police said in a news release Friday.

The youth, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was released from custody with court-imposed conditions.

Police said the court has now imposed a further 12-month terrorism peace bond against the youth, effective June 16.

According to the federal government, the terrorism peace bond provision was introduced in 2015 along with changes to the Anti-terrorism Act that created a new “fear of terrorism offence” under the Criminal Code.

The bond is used to impose conditions on a subject to prevent or disrupt potential terrorist activities.

In this case, the bond includes a curfew and strict supervision to ensure compliance with the court order, police said.

The young person has not been charged with a crime and investigators say the case is active and ongoing.

“To ensure the integrity of this investigation, no further details can be released at this time,” the release said. “The RCMP acknowledges that this information may be concerning for community members and remains committed to ensuring public safety.”

The announcement comes amid growing concern among B.C. police about the online radicalization of young people through violent extremist networks.

Last week, RCMP investigators on Vancouver Island warned that children were increasingly being targeted by a violent online extremist group that the federal government recently designated as a terrorist entity.

Police said the extremist group known as “764” has been targeting children as young as eight in the Victoria area, using social media and streaming platforms to allegedly coerce victims into acts of violence, self-harm and animal abuse.

Ottawa classified 764 as a terrorist entity last December, alongside two other online groups known as the Maniac Murder Cult and the Terrorgram Collective.