The RCMP has closed its investigation into the alleged clandestine police stations in the Montreal area, and does not recommend charges.
However, the Federal Police force says that it will continue its efforts to combat foreign interference, harassment or threats of damage aimed at the Chinese diaspora.
The closure occurs when the RCMP faces a demand for defamation of $ 4.9 million of the groups named in the probe. In an email, CPL. Erique Gasse declined to comment in detail, pointing out the ongoing legal procedures.
The legal action was presented in March 2024 by the Chinese family services of Greater Montreal, the Sino-Québec Center of the Rive-Sud and its Executive Director, XIXI LI.
The groups accuse the RCMP of publicly linking them with foreign interference and of organizing illegal police stations in the name of the Popular Republic of China without properly investigating the accusations. The centers have constantly denied the statements.
When they filed the demand, the organizations said that the accusations have already cost them $ 3.2 million, including the loss of government funds.
The RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said it was not the first time that the police force was sued to investigate, but said there were credible reasons for investigation.
The investigation dates back to 2022 when the Human Rights group based in Spain Safeguard Defenders reported that there are more than 50 stations of this type worldwide, including three in the Metropolitan Area of Toronto.
The accusations later extended to British Quebec and Columbia, which leads to the denomination of the two groups of the Montreal area.
At that time, RCMP officers said the stations were used to press the members of the Chinese community in Canada, sometimes threatening friends or family living in China.
The RCMP also pointed out that some of the activities he was investigating “is happening in places where other legitimate services are offered to the Canadian Chinese community.”
