RCMP Chief Says Probe Into Montreal Groups Alleged to Double as Chinese Police Stations Based on ‘Credible’ Info as Groups Sue

RCMP Chief Supports Investigation into Montreal Groups Allegedly Linked to Chinese Police Stations Amid Lawsuits

March 9, 2024 TruthUSA

RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme emphasizes that the force’s inquiry into two Montreal Chinese organizations accused of posing as Chinese police stations is based on “credible” information. This response comes after the organizations initiated a defamation lawsuit against the force valued at nearly $5 million.

“It’s not the first time that we’re sued because we’re investigating,” RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated during an interview on Radio-Canada’s Les coulisses du pouvoir. “All I’m saying is that the information provided to us was credible enough to warrant an investigation. This investigation is still ongoing.”

In March 2023, the RCMP revealed an investigation into the Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal (SFCGM), located in Chinatown, and the South Shore Sino-Québec Centre (CSQRS), situated in Brossard, within the Greater Montreal region.

A month after, the police force confirmed that they were actively investigating “nationwide reports of criminal activities related to these alleged ‘police’ stations. There have also been five more identified locations, two in British Columbia and three in Ontario, claiming to serve similar covert functions on behalf of the Chinese government.

In a court filing on March 6, Xixi Li, the executive director of the two Montreal centers, accused the RCMP of inappropriately disclosing its investigation to the public.

“Being labeled as Chinese ‘police stations’ by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police unfairly incriminated the plaintiffs in the court of public opinion, finding them ‘guilty’ prior to any formal charges being brought,” stated the claim filed with the Quebec Superior Court.

Related Stories

Trudeau Sends Chinese New Year Greeting to Toronto Group Accused of Hosting Secret Chinese Police Station

Senators Woo and Oh Support Lawsuit Threat by Alleged Chinese Police Stations Against RCMP

The organizations claim to have experienced a $3.2 million loss as a result, including reductions in government grants. Between 2010 and 2022, they received over $400,000 in federal funding for programs supporting seniors and providing career opportunities for youth. The groups are seeking damages exceeding $4.9 million from the federal police force.

The RCMP’s investigation followed the publication of two reports by Spain-based human rights NGO Safeguard Defenders in 2022. The NGO identified a total of 102 unofficial Chinese police stations across 53 countries globally. It also raised concerns about the stations’ involvement in intimidating and harassing the Chinese community, particularly critics of the Beijing regime, in certain instances.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

Source link