The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has suspended a controversial contract for sensitive communications equipment awarded last year to a Chinese-owned firm.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino’s office confirmed the decision Thursday afternoon after asking the RCMP to review its contract with Sinclair Technologies.
The latter is owned by a parent company, Hytera, which specializes in the manufacture of radio equipment. The government owns 10% of the shares in Hytera.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several cabinet members expressed dismay over the revelations contained in this “Radio-Canada” story published Wednesday.
It was for the RCMP to equip themselves with technology allowing them to communicate across the country without being listened to and without interference.
Minister Marco Mendicino confirmed that the equipment is already installed, but promised that the government would monitor contracts related to sensitive equipment more closely.
The contract, worth just over $500,000, was awarded without further verification or investigation, despite the well-known existence in the federal public service of attempts to interference in Canadian affairs by China and its companies.
US Justice is dragging Hytera to court. The company has 21 charges, including espionage, and is barred from bidding on government contracts.