Two Quebec-area Chinese community groups are seeking $2.5 million from the RCMP after being charged with operating secret Chinese police stations of the government.
Police have conducted an ongoing investigation of allegations surrounding these centres for months now, sending formal letters for consideration by both RCMP and Canada’s attorney general.
“With no explanation from the RCMP of their allegations or timeline provided, community centres have no choice but to exercise legal recourse,” according to an announcement by them.
In March, the RCMP reported that Service a la Famille Chinoise du grand Montreal as well as Centre Sino-Quebec de la Rive-Sud were both home to Chinese government officials who, according to reports, intimidated residents in Montreal’s Chinese community.
Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety in Quebec and Ontario, reported to a parliamentary committee in May that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had shut down “previously known as police stations” in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. They claimed they continued conducting investigations related to reports of crime related to these closed stations despite them supposedly closing.
Two community organizations based in Montreal allege they have experienced “major funding cuts” as a result of the investigation, leading to essential programs and services being discontinued as a result.
“This crisis has left the community reeling and many dedicated workers out of work,” stated the group in an official statement.
Service a la Famille Chinoise du grand Montreal is in danger of losing their building in Chinatown due to claims by their bank that they will not renew the mortgage in the coming year.
Legal counsel representing Service a la Famille Chinoise du Grand Montreal and Centre Sino-Quebec de la Rive-Sud are seeking $2.5 Million as compensation, though they claim this figure represents only “part” of what their clients hope to claim in total.
Community groups are also demanding that the RCMP retract their statements that their stations are secret police stations and offer an apology to members of the public.
The RCMP issued a statement to Global News saying they have no comment regarding the announcement from a community group, and in general do not comment on specific locations while investigations continue.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have reported that they continue to actively investigate reports of crimes related to police stations that are believed to be located within Canada.
“It should be noted that some of the activities under investigation by the RCMP occur at locations offering legitimate services to Chinese Canadian communities,” stated the police force.
The RCMP further stated their belief that Chinese Canadians “are victims of the activity we are investigating”, and there will be “no tolerance” for intimidation, harassment or targeting of diaspora communities or individuals in Canada.
