Foreign governments are continuing to harass and intimidate Canadians but proving it in court is a challenge, the RCMP said in a statement clarifying controversial remarks by the commissioner.
“What we can say is that the RCMP is aware of complaints of intimidation and harassment against certain communities across Canada,” the RCMP told Global News in the statement.
“The RCMP, and the broader government of Canada, is also aware that foreign states are engaging in such activities in Canada,” the police force added in response to questions.
The statement was released after Global News asked the RCMP to explain Commissioner Mike Duheme’s comments two weeks ago about Indian transnational repression.
In a March 19 broadcast, Duheme told CTV “We have people that are intimidating people, harassing people, but connecting the dots to a foreign entity, regardless of the country, we don’t have that.”
The remarks, the latest in a series of seemingly contradictory comments from the government about India’s activities in Canada, were condemned by critics.
A Canadian Sikh organization said the commissioner had left the impression the RCMP was walking back its accusations about India’s illicit targeting of Canada’s South Asian community.
But in its follow-up statement, the RCMP said the difficulty has been linking specific incidents against Canadians to a foreign state, with evidence that can be revealed in the criminal courts.
“Investigations are ongoing,” the RCMP said. “However, based on criminal intelligence currently held by the RCMP related to transnational repression, establishing a direct link to a foreign entity with information that can be disclosed in a criminal proceeding is a complex process.”
A former Canadian Security Intelligence Service official said the statement was revealing and pointed to the longstanding difficulties in using intelligence information in criminal prosecutions.
“The commissioner is acknowledging a lack of criminally admissible evidence linking foreign states to transnational repression in Canada. That is not the same as an absence of information,” Dan Stanton said.
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“CSIS may hold relevant intelligence on current activity, but it is not under any statutory obligation to disclose that intelligence to the RCMP,” added Stanton, author of a forthcoming book on foreign interference.
“The Service would share some intelligence if their investigative target crossed the threshold of criminal activity and the RCMP believes it would further their evidence collection.”
An especially challenging aspect of foreign interference, transnational repression occurs when overseas governments, or those acting for them, use harassment, threats and violence to silence critics abroad.
The RCMP statement did not name specific countries, but CSIS has identified China, India, Russia and Iran as the main states conducting espionage and foreign interference in Canada.
Asked about the commissioner’s comments, CSIS said that “transnational repression and foreign interference remain persistent threats in Canada.”
“CSIS assessment of the main perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage against Canada remains unchanged.”
National security agencies believe the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been engaged in election meddling, disinformation and foreign interference in Canada.
India has mostly targeted the Khalistan movement that seeks independence for the country’s Sikh-majority Punjab, labelling activists as terrorists and demanding their prosecution or extradition.
In 2023, India allegedly escalated its tactics when it contracted the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to assassinate key members of the Khalistan movement, starting with B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In October 2024, the RCMP went further, accusing the Indian government of orchestrating an array of violence in Canada. Six Indian diplomats were expelled for their suspected involvement.
“As shared on October 14, 2024, the RCMP observed organized crime elements being used in acts of transnational repression,” the RCMP said in its recent statement.
“A number of investigations related to these findings remain ongoing. For reasons of operational integrity and security, no further details can be provided until charges are laid and the matters become public,” it said.
“The RCMP is committed to combating foreign interference in all its forms and will not tolerate intimidation, harassment, or the targeting of diaspora communities or individuals in Canada.”
India denies the allegations, despite evidence that it also tried to kill one of Nijjar’s associates. The FBI disrupted the plot, which the U.S. says was carried out by India’s Research and Analysis Wing intelligence branch.
Critics have accused Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government of overlooking India’s activities as it seeks a trade deal with the Modi government to offset the impact of a U.S. trade war.
On the eve of Carney’s official visit to India, one of his officials told reporters that India was no longer targeting Canadians, prompting a backlash from within the Liberal ranks.
Following the RCMP commissioner’s remarks to CTV, World Sikh Organization president Danish Singh accused the government of “playing word games to shield the government of India.”
“Sikh Canadians continue to face intimidation, surveillance, and threats linked to Indian state actors and their proxies,” he said.
“We are aware of multiple recent incidents, including cases where Sikh activists have received ‘duty to warn’ notifications from Canadian law enforcement. We are aware of individuals being surveilled and intimidated.”
Stewart.Bell@globalnews.ca
Also send back all extremists to India. Khalistan is an Indian issue not Canadian. Only few sikh say 2% want Khalistan. We 98% sikhs are peace loving people.
Sunil
Well said.
Notice all the hindutva trolls are out in force calling others terrorist yet they don’t see the wrong their community is doing! Look at Christmas in India how hindutva extremists attacked Christians! Yet we let them have a statue what is 51 ft high why are we putting up with their nonsense!
Break all diplomatic ties with terrorist fascist India. Hold India accountable for violence and extortions on Canadian soil.
These aren’t Canadians. Canadians are BORN in Canada, everyone else is merely a guest.
Global news thank you for practicing real unbiased journalism.
This is so refreshing and hopeful to see.
I will continue to watch your news as I’m sure many other Canadians feel the same .
Get them all out of Canada they over stayed there welcome. We as Canadians need to stand together and send them back before it is to late
Right anyone curious why Carney is willing to ignore India’s transgressions just Google “Brookfield backed green energy companies in India” spoiler they aim to invest $100BB by 2030.
RCMP has investigated and charged no one of any real note for a long time all they do now is give speeding tickets. Appointed by liberal governments I am still waiting for them to finish investigating The snc lavilin case or the liberal green slush fund. They dont seem to have the authority to do anything except give out parking tickets.
It is funny how their agenda is not getting supported by the current liberal government considering they were terrorizing other communities and their own in the past with their own agenda. Canada needs to stop supporting groups and organizations with clear terroristic tendencies. They have learnt it from their leader who did the same in India and is implementing the same here.
This simple answer , all ppl living in Canada that are involved in this agenda are to be vetted regardless of citizenship & deported immediately whenever possible. Investigate into income , insurance, all claims made for any & all support from government funds. Our freedoms were earned in blood & theres plenty of visual documentation on who sacrificed for our freedoms , & fighting for OUR way , which you are still running to …… Not for weak wikes to allow our fundamentals to be distorted & manipulated only due to poor forethought. Its time to amend this to ensure our heritage and our sacrificed are protected.
The Kalistan movement is a terrorist order. They harass Hindus and Sikhs that are not in support of their views. They call for the killing of an international leader who is being made the scapegoat. I do not agree with this story at all. Why is CTV allowing this to happen?
Yep targeted alright. The same RCMP the did not find anyone to prosecute the K terror of bombing Air India aircraft that killed Canadian citizens. Super non biased.
It’s all coming together for Comrade Max Carnage Maduro.
Bend over and kiss your own a s s Canada. It will be over soon.
At least prosecute the caught offenders with vigour and let them plea bargain if they state on the record who directed and funded them
Most of the Khalistani’s ( Regular Sikhs not part of my comment.) Are protesting here instead of Pakistan/India. Khalistan land is in Pakistan. Sikhs in India are not protesting for Khalistan. This whole movement should not be allowed in Canada. Lots of hard core Khalistani’s are in Brampton and Surrey and wanted by Indian government. Trudeau was pressured by Mr Singh not to do anything and of course vote bank. Khalistani’s should be told to take there fight for their holy land which is in Pakistan. Canada needs to put a 10 feet leash on these protests. It’s amazing how much it costs to tax payers every time there is a protest. PM Trudeau is responsible for this mess. Khalistani’s are costing billions in business because of their activities. ☺️🙏🏽
Why is the Canadian press supporting Sikh terrorists and murderers who bombed A.I. and assassinated IndiraG. ? Already these Sikhs are involved in extortion and crimes against their own people, and local police have failed to protect them. These hoodlums climb indian embassy walls, and Canadian government says its free speech. Really? Today the organized crime in Brampton is so high, no white man wants to live there. Soon, you won’t be able to walk at night anywhere in GTA. That’s right keep supporting them, then see what happens in few years. What religion or culture promotes violence? And don’t be fooled about them wanting a free kalistan, as 2/3rds of it is in Pakistan! Also these are NOT, indian, they are Canadian shik citizens. They have no saying in India’s internal matter. So its Canadian’s interfering in India’s internal affairs, not the other way round.
The Carney Liberals encourage and facilitate this abuse of Canadians by foreign nations’ agents in Canada simply because they refuse to do anything about it for fear of losing favour with those nations, even though it is not in the best interest of Canada. The Liberals are an abomination.
And Liberals allow this because its their base and the people they keep importing.
The LPC has known this for the last decade and done absolutely nothing
Arthur, you are correct. These folks all support the liberals because they do nothing to eradicate them from the country.
Because of the high numbers of immigrants from India, China and the Middle East our government will not admit to any political interference because of the risk of losing votes among those groups