Editors Note: The original story contained a reference to Breton being non-binary.A RCMP media relations official has responded to questions about controversial comments made by an RCMP officer who suggested people moving toward "traditional values" could be showing signs of “becoming more extremist.”Media Relations Official Marie-Eve Breton, who uses she/her/elle pronouns, addressed the Western Standard’s questions about remarks made by RCMP Staff Sgt. Camille Habel.Habel sparked controversy Tuesday while discussing terrorism charges laid against four Quebec residents. Police allege the individuals plotted to seize land by force and operated a terrorist group near Quebec City..Speaking on CBC News Network, Habel described warning signs of radicalization. "The radicalization in general quite often will show by people isolating themselves and changing their behaviour," said Habel. “If someone … believed in equal gender rights, but all of a sudden [starts] leaning towards traditional values, that might be a sign they’re becoming more extremist.”The comments have drawn criticism from those who argue traditional values are not inherently linked to extremism. The four accused individuals face serious terrorism-related charges as the investigation continues..The RCMP statement to the Western Standard:“The RCMP is in no way implying that embracing traditional values makes an individual radical or extreme.It’s the observed and sometimes sudden change in one’s behaviour, beliefs or goals as well as tolerating the use of violence to achieve those goals, that could be one of several factors that signal a shift towards extremism. Each instance would have to be examined on a case-by-case basis and all indicators would have to be considered in their totality.Canada’s national security and intelligence community categorizes Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism (IMVE) into the following four subcategories: xenophobic violence, anti-authority violence, gender-driven violence and other grievance-driven and ideologically motivated violence. IMVE proponents are driven by a range of influences rather than a single belief system and/or values.”
