While her ministry does not plan to renew the funding granted to alleged Chinese police stations, the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, Kateri Champagne Jourdain, clarified on Tuesday that this decision could be temporary.
Mme Champagne Jourdain said his department will await the findings of an ongoing investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) into the Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal (SFCGM) and the Center Sino-Québec de la Rive-Sud ( CSQRS).
“Given the allegations surrounding these two organizations, the ministry has chosen to suspend funding pending the outcome of ongoing investigations,” said the minister.
This clarification comes as the Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity (MESS) had notified the Duty its intention not to renew agreements in force for five years with the SFCGM and the CSQRS.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations that have come to light in the context of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation, talks for the renewal of the agreement which expires on June 30, 2023 have not been initiated, since ‘there are no plans to renew this agreement,’ said MESS spokeswoman Catherine Poulin recently.
On Tuesday, Minister Champagne Jourdain nevertheless affirmed that talks had been on the agenda.
“We had discussions for the renewal, she said. The ministry has suspended discussions for this renewal pending the outcome of the investigations. »
Over the past five years, the MESS has paid $2 million to the two organizations, which are suspected by the RCMP of clandestinely harboring police stations that harass Chinese nationals on Canadian soil.
Liberal MP Madwa Nika-Cadet said the MESS has an interest in exercising caution given the nature of the RCMP’s allegations.
“Considering the alleged facts and the extremely specific situation, we believe that caution is required in this case,” she said. If the situation were to change, it is clear that the position could be reviewed by the MESS. »