Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of peace bonds in the wake of a foiled terrorist attack.
A former Winnipegger living under court-ordered conditions was killed in a dramatic takedown on Wednesday in Strathroy, Ont. after Canadian authorities were tipped off by the FBI about an imminent threat.
Aaron Driver, 24, warned of an attack on Canadian soil.
A video came to the attention of authorities after Driver was previously arrested and placed on a peace bond for suspicions of being involved in terrorist activity.
The peace bond required Driver to report bi-weekly to RCMP. He wasn't allowed to have firearms, weapons or explosive substances.
Driver was banned from owning a cell phone or a computer, and wasn't allowed access to social media or contact with any members of a terrorist organization.
Wayne Driver said his son should've been living under even stricter conditions.
"I don't think there was enough attention paid to him,” said Wayne during an interview in Cold Lake, Alta. “I kind of think he got a slap on the wrist."
"Even to the point where he had to report to somebody every day and stay there for half a day or something. I don't know what it would've taken, but I think they gave him too much freedom."
The RCMP acknowledged Driver wasn't under constant surveillance. Experts said that could require up to 40 people for one case.
Security consultant and former CSIS analyst Phil Gurski said in an interview with CTV News in Ottawa peace bonds may not be the best tool in counter-terrorism cases.
"You've got a young man who was radicalized. He certainly didn't de-radicalize under a peace bond and he was able to get that close to a terrorism act, so perhaps we need other tools in the toolbox for the RCMP and CSIS to use."
University of Waterloo sociology professor Lorne Dawson told CTV News the conditions of the peace bond cut Driver off from his sources of identity and support.
"He may have actually spiraled down into kind of a depressed condition where he then became more radical and started to seriously engage in this plot," said Dawson.
In addition to peace bonds, Dawson said Canada needs a national program to counter violent extremism – something that would provide ongoing support for people like Driver.
Canada's Public Safety Minister said the government is creating a new counter-terrorism office.
"The government of Canada has to get far more proactive on the whole issue of outreach, community, counter-radicalization," Goodale told reporters in Regina on Thursday.
Wayne said his son was offered all kinds of help, but nothing worked.
"If somebody's a potential threat and again, if you want to force somebody to get help but if they don't want to participate in the program, what more can you do?"
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada said 11 individuals have been placed under terrorism peace bonds.
With Driver's death, only one remains active.
Driver's 10 month peace bond issued in February was set to expire at the end of the year.
