The RCMP has concluded its inquiry into suspected covert Chinese police facilities in the Montreal region and has opted not to propose charges. While no charges are recommended, the federal police agency affirms its commitment to addressing foreign interference, harassment, or threats against the Chinese immigrant population.
This decision comes amidst a $4.9 million defamation lawsuit against the RCMP by the involved organizations. Cpl. Erique Gasse declined to provide extensive comments due to the ongoing legal actions.
The lawsuit was initiated in March 2024 by Chinese Family Services of Greater Montreal, the Centre Sino-Québec de la Rive-Sud, and their director, Xixi Li, accusing the RCMP of linking them to foreign interference and running illicit police stations on behalf of China without thorough investigations. The accused centers have consistently refuted these allegations.
The organizations claim to have suffered financial losses amounting to $3.2 million, including the loss of government funding, due to these accusations. Xixi Li, also a Brossard city councilor, expressed relief over the probe’s closure, mentioning the personal toll it took on her and the support she received.
Despite facing legal challenges, Li emphasized her dedication to serving the public with honesty and persistence. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme defended the investigation, citing credible grounds for the probe.
The investigation originated in 2022 following a report by the human rights organization Safeguard Defenders, which identified over 50 similar stations worldwide, including three in the Greater Toronto Area. The allegations eventually extended to Quebec and British Columbia, implicating the two Montreal organizations.
Initial reports suggested that these stations were utilized to exert pressure on Chinese community members in Canada, sometimes by threatening their connections in China. The RCMP highlighted that some of the investigated activities coincided with legitimate services provided to the Chinese-Canadian community.
