The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has opened at least three police stations in Canada, according to published reports.
Canada is now one of many countries home to outposts of Chinese law enforcement, on international soil, said Michael Chong, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs for the federal PC Party.
OMNI spoke to Chong to understand the issues of China-implemented police stations in Canada.
The RCMP is investigating reports of criminal activity related to so-called foreign “police” stations in Canada after a human rights group reported China is operating more than 50 such venues overseas, including three in the Greater Toronto Area, The Canadian Press reported in early November.
The Spain-based Safeguard Defenders group published a report in September saying China established at least 54 “overseas police service centers” around the world to carry out what it described as policing operations on foreign soil.
The report claimed the stations are used to persuade people China claims are fugitives living abroad to return to China to face charges.
“They’re illegal, the Canadian Government has not authorized Beijing to open up these stations and so they should be shut down,” Chong said.
“I think they are an intrusion into Canadian sovereignty, and they’re a threat to the Canadians in the Chinese community. If the PRC officials want to provide services to citizens of the PRC living in Canada, they can do so though the accredited Embassy located here in Canada.”
Chong believes the stations are part of a broader campaign for the PRC government.
“These three illegal police stations are part of that network of clandestine operatives, working here in Canada, that are coercing Canadians by threatening their families back home in China,” Chong said.
While the RCMP is investigating the case, Chong said there’s more to be done: particularly, action from the federal government and Prime Minister Trudeau.
“I don’t think the Trudeau government has been strong enough in standing up to the threats that Beijing is posing to Canada,” Chong said.
Chong believes Trudeau must publicly acknowledge and condemn the actions of the Bejing government. The federal government must also investigate Beijing’s ambassador and diplomats in Canada and hold them accountable, he said.
“The problem is, this government hasn’t stood up for Canadians and for Canada, and I think the complete lack of respect that President Xi showed towards the Canadian prime minister, is evidence that the Trudeau government hasn’t stood up strongly enough for Canadians or for Canada,” Chong said.
-with files from The Canadian Press
