RCMP official won't say whether Chinese 'police stations' are still operating in Canada
National police service holds back comment on active investigations involving foreign interference
An RCMP official declined to confirm whether any Chinese government "police stations" are still operating in Canada during testimony at the foreign interference inquiry today.
When asked by both lawyers and reporters if these alleged stations remain active, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Mark Flynn cited an ongoing investigation, stating, "That again falls into part of our ongoing investigation and I'm not speaking about it at this time."
In 2023, the RCMP launched an investigation into facilities reportedly set up by the Chinese government on Canadian soil. These centres were accused of harassing and intimidating Chinese community members in Canada. By June 2023, the RCMP announced it had "shut down illegal police activity in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia" linked to these Chinese police stations.
The issue of Chinese police stations was just one of several alleged instances of foreign government activity on Canadian soil that the RCMP refused to comment on, citing ongoing investigations.
Officials also referenced investigations when questioned about the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, reports of extortion rings linked to India, and the recent U.S. charges against two Russians in a $10 million scheme to influence Tenet Media to promote Russian propaganda.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin added, "We are currently engaged with domestic and international partners on this matter," noting that several Canadian laws could apply to the Tenet Media case.
