Justin Trudeau

Statement by the Prime Minister on the Ongoing Investigation into Alleged Violent Criminal Activity Linked to the Government of India

delivered 14 October 2024, October 14, 2024, Ottawa, Ontario

Indian Government Response

[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio]

Canada is a country rooted in the rule of law, and the protection of our citizens is paramount. That's why, when our law enforcement and intelligence officials began pursuing credible allegations that agents of the Government of India were directly involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh -- Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil -- we responded.

[Content below delivered in French Canadian with English interpretation provided by the Government of Canada]

We shared our concerns with the Government of India and asked them to work with us to shed light on this important issue. At the same time, police and security agencies have used all the tools at their disposal to keep Canadians safe. Today, given evidence presented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP], we are taking additional steps to protect Canadians.

[End of French Canadian language delivery]

As the RCMP Commissioner [Michael Duheme] stated earlier today, they have clear and compelling evidence that agents of the Government of India have engaged in, and continue to engage in, activities that pose a significant threat to public safety. This includes clandestine information gathering techniques, coercive behavior targeting South Asian Canadians, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including murder.

This is unacceptable.

While attempts have been made by the RCMP and national security officials to work with the Government of India and Indian law enforcement counterparts on this matter, they have been repeatedly refused. This is why, this weekend, Canadian officials took an extraordinary step. They met with Indian officials to share RCMP evidence, which concluded six agents of the Government of India are persons of interest in criminal activities. And despite repeated requests to the Government of India, it has decided not to cooperate.

[Content below delivered in French Canadian with English interpretation provided by the Government of Canada]

Given that the Government of India still refuses to cooperate, my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, had only one choice. Today, she issued a deportation notice for these six individuals. They must leave Canada. They will no longer be able to act as diplomats in Canada, nor to re-enter Canada, for whatever reason.

[End of French Canadian language delivery]

Let me be clear: The evidence brought to light by the RCMP cannot be ignored.

It leads to one conclusion: It is necessary to disrupt the criminal activities that continue to pose a threat to public safety in Canada. That is why we acted, because we will always -- first and foremost -- stand for the rights of Canadians to feel safe and secure in their own country.

We will never tolerate the involvement of a foreign government threatening and killing Canadian citizens on Canadian soil -- a deeply unacceptable violation of Canada’s sovereignty and of international law.

[Content below delivered in French Canadian with English interpretation provided by the Government of Canada]

Once again, we call on the Government of India to co-operate with us on this investigation -- to put an end to its inaction and misleading rhetoric; to recognize the credibility and severity of the evidence and information we have shared so far; and to reiterate, in no uncertain terms, that its position on extrajudicial operations abroad will henceforth be unequivocally aligned with international law.

Canada will always defend the rule of law and the fundamental principles on which free and democratic societies are based. We urge the Government of India to do the same.

[End of French Canadian language delivery]

I know the events of the past year and today’s revelations have shaken many Canadians, particularly those in Indo-Canadian and Sikh community. Many of you are angry, upset, frightened. I get that. This shouldn’t happen. Canada and India have a long and storied history rooted in strong people-to-people ties, business, and trade. But we cannot abide by what we're seeing right now. Canada fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, and we expect the Indian Government to do the same for Canada.

As Prime Minister, it is my responsibility to provide reassurance to those who are feeling their safety has been compromised. But most importantly, it is my responsibility to take action and to never hesitate in doing what is necessary to protect Canadians.

That is precisely what we are doing today.

See Also: Government of India Response to Canada's Allegations

Original Text Source: The Office of the Prime Minister

Text Note: Address delivered in English and French Canadian with Canadian French to English interpretation provided by the Government of Canada

Page Created: 10/15/24

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