Chinese centers sue Canada for $1.85mn for discriminatory accusations
2 Min Read
Chinese community centers in Canada argue that the RCMP defamed them with “vague accusations,” which led to fund cuts and employee cuts as well.
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Flags of Nova Scotia and Canada fly at half-staff outside the Nova Scotia Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) headquarters in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. (AFP)
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been sued in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit by two Chinese community centers in Montreal after the national police force claimed they hosted “alleged Chinese police stations.”
In response, the Chinese centers argued the RCMP defamed them with “vague accusations,” which led to fund cuts and employee cuts as well. They are suing for CAN$2.5 million ($1.85 million) in compensation, as confirmed in a news conference by the centers' representatives.
The representatives added that the bank holding the mortgage on one of the centers, which is the Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal, affirmed that the mortgage as a result will not be renewed in March 2024.
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It was alleged by the RCMP that the centers are intimidating Chinese Canadians wanted by Beijing to return to China, and at times coercing them with threats against their families in China.
Fostering Sinophobia
According to CTV News, a statement released by the Coalition to Save Chinese Quebec Institutions ahead of the news conference said, "This 'witch hunt' of an investigation is having real-life consequences on the Chinese-Canadian community in Montreal."
Even though the lawsuit has not gone into effect yet, the lawyer for the centers claimed that the RCMP has been sent a notice of the intent to take legal action.
Back in May, the Canadian intelligence service accused Chinese diplomats of intimidating Canadian parliamentarian Michael Chong and his family after sponsoring a motion accusing Beijing of alleged genocide against Uyghurs.
After summoning the Chinese ambassador over the allegation, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that Ottawa was considering expelling all Chinese diplomats.
"We deplore and reject the Canadian side's groundless smear of the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in Canada, which is merely fulfilling its duties ... I want to stress that the Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel in Canada always abide by relevant international conventions and perform their duties in accordance with the law," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference.
