Monday October 14, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 12:30 pm, last updated 11 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
This morning the RCMP announced alleged foreign interference by agents of the Indian government in Canada.
Extortion and violent acts including homicides have been connected to agents of the Indian government, as well as others.
Indian diplomats had been collecting information on Canadians for the Indian government; six diplomats have been expelled from Canada including the high commissioner.
The situation has posed a threat to public safety, according to the RCMP, including stating that “a significant number of individuals have been charged”.
The investigation has been going on for a few years now, said RCMP. Disruption of any observed operations is a key strategy, sometimes being more effective than charges or arrests, the RCMP said today.
Four findings:
The RCMP this morning listed four findings from their investigation, choosing Thanksgiving Monday (and just five days ahead of the BC provincial election) to hold a press conference with these details:
- Violent extremists impacting both countries.
- Links tying agents of the government of India to homicides and violent acts.
- Use of organized crime to create prevent of unsafe environments targeting the south Asian community in Canada.
- Interference in democratic processes.
Comment from Premier Eby:
BC Premier David Eby said this morning in a hastily organized press conference (apart from the campaign trail) that British Columbians and Canadians “were profoundly distributed to hear information from the RCMP about an investigation that they’ve been doing in BC, Alberta and Ontario regarding threats, homicides, violence and extortion.”
“Their information — which to my mind is unprecedented — allegations of a foreign government involved in violence, homicides, extortion against Canadians. Which was profoundly disturbing to me and so many British Columbians,” said Eby.
Eby said that he has spoken with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and has sought their assurance that federal investigative teams would continue to provide resources to BC to help deal with this situation.
Prime Minister’s press conference:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference starting around 2:50 pm today from Ottawa, accompanied by Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly.
No further details were added, but it was clear that the information was important enough to “disrupt” the activities of these criminals, as emphasized several times by Trudeau in his remarks and answers to media.
Media on hand to ask questions included The Globe and Mail (Mearieke Walsh), CBC (Tom Perry), and The Toronto Star. (Tonda MacCharles).
South Asian and anti-Palestinian:
The RCMP today mentioned in their press conference their concerns about public safety regarding the south Asian diaspora and that some of the investigations included anti-Palestinian activity.
Reporting concerns:
Anyone who feels threatened online or in person (including Intimidation and harassment) should report their concerns to the RCMP.
Election period in BC:
The BC provincial election campaign period is currently active. Several key ridings have large south Asian populations. The election date is Saturday October 19, 2024.
Why on Thanksgiving weekend:
“We’ve been working on this for quite some time,” said RCMP Commissioner Michael Duhene today.
When asked by media why this press conference was held on the Thanksgiving Monday national holiday, Duhene said a previous meeting on October 12 did not meet the mark as to informing the Canadian public and asking for their assistance.
That either indicates a scenario of severe risk to some Canadians and/or a lack of attention to the overall need for the Canadian public and the media to have a day off from darker concerns of the world.
Media on the line:
The October 14, 2024 morning media conference by the RCMP from Ottawa was attended by media from CBC, Global News, and The New York Times, and others.
Federal NDP leader urges security clearance:
After the RCMP announcement, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh released a statement.
He pointed out that the NDP “had to fight just to have potential subversive activity by India included in the scope of the inquiry into Foreign Interference”.
Singh also said: “I urge all leaders to get their security clearnce and hold the Modi government accountable and refuse to look the other way.”