Parliamentary Committee Notes: Overseas Police Stations
Date: 2023-01-31
Branch/Agency: RCMP
Proposed Response:
- The Government of Canada takes threats to the security of individuals living in Canada very seriously. Its primary focus is the safety and protection of the public at all times.
- The RCMP, along with the broader Canadian law enforcement community, has a clear role to play in protecting Canada and Canadians from foreign interference.
- The RCMP is currently investigating reports of illegal activity, including criminal offences, in relation to the allegations of overseas police stations, which are allegedly affiliated with the People’s Republic of China and operating in Canada.
- As the RCMP is currently investigating this matter, no further information will be provided at this time.
- Anyone who feels threatened online or in person should report these incidents to their local police.
If pressed:
- The Chinese government and Chinese law enforcement may pursue criminal investigations in Canada, however their activities are guided by the Foreign Criminal Investigator’s Protocol.
- This Protocol sets parameters for foreign criminal investigators pursuing foreign criminal investigations in Canada. Should it be found that the alleged police stations are threatening or intimidating Chinese nationals in Canada, they would be circumventing existing international agreements.
Background:
In September 2022, the non-governmental organization Safeguard Defenders released a report entitled “110 Overseas – Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild” which alleged that the PRC established 54 overseas police stations (OPS) in 30 different countries, including in Canada. A follow-on report in December claimed that OPS were present in 53 countries.
Furthermore, in September and October 2022, several media outlets, reported on the actions of the Chinese Fuzhou Public Security Bureau’s (PSB) offices, which are located across five continents, including three in the Greater Toronto Area. These offices purport to assist Chinese nationals in Canada on a variety of fronts, from renewing driver’s licenses, to reporting incidents to local police. Media reports claim that these offices are being used as “clandestine hubs” for the Chinese state to target and compel alleged criminals to return to China to face justice. Media are also reporting that foreign agents operate out of these offices and use overt threats against Chinese nationals living abroad (including in Canada), and their family members living abroad to get Chinese nationals to comply.
On October 27, 2022, the RCMP issued a media statement informing the public that it is investigating reports of criminal activity in relation to the so-called "police stations” alleged to be operating on behalf of the PRC in the Greater Toronto Area. As the RCMP is currently investigating this, it cannot comment further.
It is important to note that the Chinese government and Chinese law enforcement are permitted to pursue criminal investigations in Canada, but their activities are guided by the Foreign Criminal Investigator’s Protocol (FCIC). This Protocol sets out Canada’s notification and approval requirements for regulating the entry and monitoring of foreign criminal investigators pursuing foreign criminal investigations in Canada. Should the Chinese state be using PSB offices to threaten or intimidate Chinese nationals, they would be circumventing existing international agreements.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Sean McGillis, Executive Director, Federal Policing Strategic Management (613) 843-5914
Approved by: Mike Duheme, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Policing (613) 843-4627
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