'A threat to all of us': Eby addresses RCMP allegations Indian officials linked to Canadian homicides, extortion
B.C. NDP leader David Eby took a break from campaigning Monday to address stunning new allegations from the RCMP that Indian diplomats and consular officials are linked to violent criminal activity on Canadian soil.
Eby, who said he heard the troubling allegations against New Delhi for the first time Monday along with other Canadians, assured British Columbians that police will be given all the resources they need to “hold those involved accountable.”
“Our province’s strength is the fact that people come here from around the world and they can be safe and build a good life for themselves and their families. Anything that threatens that is a threat to all of us,” Eby said.
Read more: RCMP alleges Indian officials in Canada connected to extortion, homicides
At a Thanksgiving Day news conference, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme said he was making the rare move of revealing information about an ongoing investigation “due to the significant threat to public safety in our country.”
Since Mounties formed a multi-jurisdiction team earlier this year to investigate threats against the South Asian community, especially those in the Sikh diaspora, police have uncovered “a significant amount of information about the breadth and depth of criminal activity orchestrated by agents of the Government of India, and consequential threats to the safety and security of Canadians and individuals living in Canada.”
That includes finding links between agents of the Indian government and homicides and other violent acts, Mounties say.
Eby told reporters he spoke to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and that he asked for their assurance federal investigators will continue to work with police in B.C. to ensure justice is served. “They have of course assured me that will be the case,” he said.
When asked for the specifics of what LeBlanc shared, Eby said he was told, "there is credible evidence that the government of India, through agents in Canada, has been involved in homicides—plural, extortions—plural, acts of violence against Canadians, (and) acts of intimidation against Canadians with an aim of advancing the interests of the governments of India.”
“This is obviously a very serious allegation,” he added. “I am certain that he would not be raising these issues, the RCMP would not be holding a press conference if this wasn’t serious and credible information.”
Eby urged anyone who has been the target of threats or extortion to contact police and help further the investigation. “And we can weed it out, because we don’t want it here.”
Monday’s developments mark the latest in an escalating confrontation between India and Canada that kicked off publicly last year when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada was investigating credible allegations that agents of the government of India were involved in the killing of prominent Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.
In response to the latest allegations, Canada announced it was expelling six Indian diplomats connected to a "targeted campaign against Canadian citizens by agents linked to the Government of India."
In what appears to be a tit-for-tat retaliation, India announced it is expelling six Canadian diplomats, including the top two diplomats stationed in New Delhi.
With files from CTV News’ Brennan MacDonald
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Four arrests made, police officer injured in connection with protest at Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont.
Peel police say four people were arrested and an officer was injured following several protests in Mississauga and Brampton Sunday afternoon, including one at a Hindu temple that turned violent.
B.C. port employers to launch lockout at terminals as labour disruption begins
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
'The best that we can be': Indigenous judge and TRC chair Murray Sinclair dies at 73
Murray Sinclair, who was born when Indigenous people did not yet have the right to vote, grew up to become one of the most decorated and influential people to work in Indigenous justice and advocacy.
Musk PAC tells Philadelphia judge the US$1M sweepstakes winners are not chosen by chance
A lawyer for Elon Musk 's political action committee told a judge in Philadelphia on Monday that so-called 'winners' of his US$1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes in swing states are not chosen by chance but are instead chosen to be paid 'spokespeople' for the group.
3 arrested as protesters clash outside Hindu temple in Surrey, B.C.
Three people were arrested after duelling protests erupted into violence outside a Hindu temple in Surrey, B.C., over the weekend, according to the RCMP.
Communication issues, double standard for Lebanese-Canadians trying to escape war, says lawyer
Some Lebanese-Canadians are pressuring the federal government to implement emergency measures that would allow Lebanese nationals' family members a less restrictive gateway to Canada, citing more 'flexible' policies for Ukrainians.
Judge rules against Alberta casino, dinner theatre operator
An application to stay a receivership order of Mayfield Investments Ltd., a company that owns multiple businesses in Alberta including the Camrose Resort and Casino, Medicine Hat Lodge and Calgary's Stage West Dinner Theatre, has been denied by the court.
India's Modi, Canada's Trudeau condemn violence at Hindu temple near Toronto
The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.