In recent years, Canada has grappled with a disturbing surge in youth radicalization toward Islamist extremism, particularly ideologies aligned with the Islamic State (ISIS, also known as Daesh). What was once perceived as a distant threat from conflict zones in the Middle East has infiltrated Canadian communities, driven by online propaganda, social media algorithms, and global grievances. Security agencies like the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) report that nearly one in ten terrorism investigations now involves minors, with a staggering 488% increase in terrorism-related charges from April 2023 to March 2024. This trend is inextricably linked to the resurgence of ISIS, which, despite losing its territorial caliphate in 2019, has reinvented itself as a decentralized, digital terror network targeting vulnerable young people worldwide. Through a combination of slick online recruitment, exploitation of youth despair, and hybrid ideologies, ISIS has fueled a wave of arrests in Canada, many involving teenagers plotting violence or seeking to join the group abroad.
This article explores the dynamics of this radicalization, drawing on official reports, academic insights, and recent cases. It highlights specific examples of arrested individuals, the factors driving youth involvement, and how ISIS’s global revival is manifesting in Canada. As of early 2026, the threat remains elevated, with experts warning that without robust prevention, the cycle of radicalization could escalate further.
Trends and Statistics: A Youth-Driven Surge
Canada’s counter-terrorism landscape has shifted dramatically since the height of ISIS’s caliphate in 2014-2017, when dozens of Canadians travelled abroad to join the group. Today, the focus is on homegrown threats, with youth at the forefront. According to a 2024 Five-Eyes intelligence alliance report (involving Canada, the U.S., the UK, Australia, and New Zealand), minors are increasingly prominent in violent extremism cases, often radicalized online within months or even weeks. In Canada, CSIS notes that Islamist extremism—predominantly ISIS-inspired—accounts for the majority of such cases, with a post-October 7, 2023, surge correlating to a 670% rise in antisemitic incidents.
Key data paints a grim picture:
| Catagory | Details |
| Investigations Involving Minors | 1 in 10 terrorism probes includes at least one under 18; some as young as 13. |
| Arrests and Charges | 20 suspects arrested in 2023-2024 for ISIS-related offences, up from 2 in 2022; nearly half under 21, including 6 minors. |
| Foiled Plots | 6 terrorist plots thwarted in the last year (as of mid-2024), many in major cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Edmonton. |
| Demographics | Average age of jihadist suspects in the West: 27; higher rates of converts (17%) in North America; religious radicalization shows stronger effects than other ideologies. |
This resurgence has been described as ISIS gaining “footholds” in Africa and Afghanistan while exploiting anger over Western support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. In Canada, the RCMP thwarted plots spanning from lone-wolf attacks to coordinated efforts, often uncovered through international tips or online monitoring.
Factors Fueling Radicalization
Youth radicalization is a complex interplay of push and pull factors, amplified by ISIS’s sophisticated digital strategy. Online platforms are the primary vector: ISIS uses memes, videos, and encrypted apps to target impressionable teens, blending jihadist narratives with grievances like discrimination, Islamophobia, and identity struggles. A McGill University expert highlights “youth despair, ISIS resurgence, and AI” as key drivers, where algorithms accelerate exposure to extremist content.
Socioeconomic elements include lower education, poverty, and mental health issues, while community influences—such as diaspora networks or sermons glorifying terrorism—play a role. Hybrid threats emerge when ISIS ideology merges with incel culture or antisemitism, creating “grey area” radicals. Immigration from conflict zones and perceived lax vetting have also been cited in public discourse as contributing factors.
Specific Examples: Arrested Individuals and ISIS Ties
Recent arrests underscore the youth focus of ISIS’s recruitment. Here are detailed cases, many involving minors or young adults pledging allegiance to the group:
- Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi (62) and Mostafa Eldidi (26), Toronto, July 2024: This father-son duo was arrested in a Richmond Hill hotel room, charged with nine terrorism offences, including conspiracy to commit murder for ISIS’s benefit. They possessed an axe and a machete as weapons. Shockingly, the elder Eldidi appeared in a 2015 ISIS propaganda video dismembering a crucified prisoner in Syria. Despite this, he entered Canada in 2018, claimed asylum, obtained permanent residency, and became a citizen in May 2024—months before his arrest. The plot was foiled after French authorities flagged him to Canadian police. This case highlights vetting failures and familial radicalization.
- Unnamed 17-Year-Old, Montreal, August 2025: Arrested by RCMP for pledging allegiance to ISIS and planning at least one attack. Charges include providing property for terrorist purposes, participating in a terrorist group, and facilitating terrorism. He allegedly posted threats online and assaulted a peace officer post-arrest. The investigation began in April 2025, revealing his intent to act on behalf of ISIS.
- Unnamed 18-Year-Old, Toronto Area (Newmarket), January 2025: Arrested for allegedly planning to travel abroad to join ISIS. RCMP sought a terrorism peace bond to restrict his movements, citing evidence of radicalization and intent to support the group.
- Unnamed Ottawa Youth (Minor), February 2024: Charged with facilitating terrorism by seeking a firearm in a plot targeting the Jewish community. A second youth was later arrested, with additional charges laid. This case is tied to post-October 7 tensions and ISIS-inspired antisemitism.
- Unnamed GTA Youth, November 2025: Arrested for posting ISIS videos and charged with terrorism offences. Part of the broader youth-driven ISIS surge.
- Jamal Borhot (35), Calgary, 2025: Found guilty of three ISIS-related terrorism charges. Travelled to Syria in 2013 to train as a commander and sniper, creating recruitment videos. His cousin received 12 years; prosecutors seek 16 for Borhot. Though not a youth at arrest, his case illustrates long-term radicalization starting young.
- Waleed Khan, December 2025: Arrested during a kidnapping raid, revealing alleged ISIS plots against Jewish targets. Released on bail multiple times with an ankle monitor, raising concerns about judicial leniency.
- Historical Youth Cases: The “Toronto 18” (2006) involved young radicals plotting bombings; Momin Khawaja aided Al-Qaeda. More recently, Calgary teens (15-17) have been charged since 2023 with ISIS activities. A 15-year-old Edmonton minor (May 2025) was linked to transnational networks like “Com764,” blending extremism.
These arrests reveal patterns: rapid online radicalization, ISIS pledges, and targets often tied to antisemitism or Western symbols.
The Resurgence of ISIS: From Caliphate to Digital Jihad
ISIS’s defeat in 2019 marked the end of its territorial “state,” but not its ideology. By 2025, the group has evolved into a “global structure” with affiliates in Africa (e.g., ISIS-Mozambique, listed as a terrorist entity by Canada in December 2025), Afghanistan, and beyond. It exploits regional instability—such as prison breaks in Syria—and online tools to recruit youth, with two-thirds of 2024 ISIS-linked arrests in Europe involving teens.
In Canada, this manifests as increased plots, returnee risks (60 Canadians back from ISIS zones), and youth recruitment via social media. Experts note AI’s role in accelerating propaganda, while post-Gaza anger fuels sympathy. Canada is seen as a potential hub due to open policies, with risks of exporting terror.
Government Responses and Challenges
Canada has responded with $36 million in 2025 for prevention programs, focusing on youth resilience and online monitoring. Listings like ISIS-Mozambique and groups targeting youth (e.g., 764, Terrorgram) aim to disrupt networks. Five-Eyes collaboration emphasizes collective action against minor radicalization.
Critics argue frameworks unfairly target Muslims, risking alienation. Calls for banning groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir persist, alongside debates on immigration vetting exposed by cases like Eldidi.
Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance
The radicalization of Canadian youth to Islamist extremism, propelled by ISIS’s resurgence, poses a multifaceted threat requiring balanced prevention, community engagement, and policy reform. Cases like the Eldidis and Montreal teen illustrate how online ideologies translate to real-world dangers. As global tensions persist, addressing root causes—despair, discrimination, and digital exposure—is crucial to safeguarding future generations. For now, the RCMP’s reporting lines and awareness campaigns offer frontline defence, but systemic changes are needed to stem this tide.