Antisemitism and terrorism charges in Canada have surged dramatically since the October 7 attack by Hamas in southern Israel. Reports indicate that antisemitic incidents have increased by 670 percent in 2024, while terrorism-related charges have risen by 488 percent from April 2023 to March 2024. Experts attribute these trends to the influence of Islamism, a movement within a small segment of Muslim communities that seeks to implement Sharia law and Islamize various aspects of society.

Scholars from diverse fields, including history and security studies, view Islamism as a significant threat to the security and cultural integrity of Western nations with growing Muslim populations. However, the term "Islamism" is rarely mentioned by prominent political figures, including former Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his potential successor, Mark Carney.

The Muslim Brotherhood is identified as a key organization promoting Islamism. This group is often misunderstood as a conspiracy theory, but it is recognized as a legitimate and influential network with a global presence. The Sawab Center, a research organization focused on countering religious extremism, provides resources on the Brotherhood's ideology and activities.

An internal document from the Brotherhood, discovered by the FBI during the 2008 trial of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, outlines its strategy for influencing Western societies. This document, titled "An Explanatory Memorandum for the MB’s Goals in North America," describes a method of "stealth" jihad, contrasting it with the violent tactics of groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS. The memorandum emphasizes the use of democratic processes and rights discourse to undermine Western democracies, advocating for political engagement rather than violence.

Public advocates for the Brotherhood often present themselves as approachable figures rather than militants. For instance, Linda Sarsour, a prominent activist, highlighted the financial support from the Council of American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) to political action committees during a recent conference. CAIR is known for its alignment with the Muslim Brotherhood and its role in advocating for Arab-American civil rights.

In Canada, a 2011 survey by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute revealed that while many Canadian Muslims disapprove of Al Qaeda, there is moderate approval for other groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood. However, the survey's small sample size and low response rate limit the generalizability of these findings.

Security analyst Joe Adam George noted that Islamist groups have intensified efforts to influence Muslim voters in Canada, where the Muslim population has doubled since 2001, now comprising 4.9 percent of the total population. This demographic shift presents a potential for significant electoral influence in future elections.