A senior RCMP official says the national police force has sometimes assured private companies they won’t be prosecuted for dealing with hostage-takers on behalf of desperate Canadian families.
James Malizia, the RCMP assistant commissioner for national security, tells a Senate committee today that the primary focus for the force is the safe release of the hostages.
READ MORE: Former hostage Joshua Boyle to undergo psychiatric assessment
As a result, the Mounties have provided so-called “comfort letters” to private agencies assisting families, saying they will not be criminally investigated for negotiating with terrorists or other criminals.
The Canadian government has a long-standing policy against paying ransoms in hostage-takings.
David Drake, a director general at Global Affairs Canada, says he is unaware of a case in which the federal government has either directly or indirectly paid a ransom.
He says the government is firm in its resolve to deny terrorists the resources they need to conduct attacks against Canada, its allies and partners.
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