Foreign states continue to harass and intimidate Canadians, RCMP says – National

Foreign governments continue to harass and intimidate Canadians, though proving these actions in court remains a challenge, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

“What we can say is that the RCMP is aware of complaints of intimidation and harassment against certain communities across Canada,” the RCMP said in a statement to Global News. “The RCMP, and the broader government of Canada, is also aware that foreign states are engaging in such activities in Canada.”

RCMP Clarifies Commissioner’s Remarks

The statement was released following questions regarding RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme’s recent comments about Indian transnational repression. On March 19, Duheme told CTV News, “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 drew criticism, with a Canadian Sikh organization stating the commissioner appeared to be retracting previous accusations regarding India’s targeting of Canada’s South Asian community.

However, the RCMP clarified that the difficulty lies in establishing a direct link to a foreign state with evidence admissible in criminal court.

“Investigations are ongoing,” the RCMP stated. “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 (CSIS) official noted 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,” said Dan Stanton.

CSIS is not obligated to disclose intelligence to the RCMP unless it relates to criminal activity and would support evidence collection. “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.”

Foreign Interference Concerns

Transnational repression involves harassment, threats, and violence used by overseas governments, or those acting on their behalf, to silence critics abroad. While the RCMP statement did not name specific countries, CSIS has identified China, India, Russia, and Iran as key actors in espionage and foreign interference in Canada.

CSIS has stated that transnational repression and foreign interference remain persistent threats in Canada.

National security agencies have alleged that the Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has engaged in election meddling, disinformation, and foreign interference in Canada, particularly targeting the Khalistan movement seeking independence for India’s Sikh-majority Punjab province.

In 2023, India allegedly contracted the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to assassinate key members of the Khalistan movement, including B.C. Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

In October 2024, the RCMP accused the Indian government of orchestrating violence in Canada, leading to the expulsion of six Indian diplomats. “As shared on October 14, 2024, the RCMP observed organized crime elements being used in acts of transnational repression,” the RCMP said.

India denies the allegations, despite evidence suggesting attempts to kill Nijjar’s associates, with the U.S. alleging the involvement of India’s Research and Analysis Wing intelligence branch.

The RCMP stated it remains “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.”