(Montreal) The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating two alleged “Chinese police stations” in Quebec that would have created a “climate of terror” within part of the Chinese diaspora.
The federal police force confirmed to The Press information first reported Thursday morning by THE Montreal Journal. The two establishments targeted, according to the Quebecor daily, are the Sino-Quebec Center on the South Shore, in Brossard, and the Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal, in the metropolis.
“These are alleged Chinese police stations in Quebec. The investigation began a few weeks ago, ”confirms Sergeant Charles Poirier, spokesperson for the federal police force.
The two establishments were not part of the list of Chinese “police stations” on foreign soil affiliated with police organizations in China, as published by the Spanish NGO Safeguard Defenders by translating official Chinese publications. The RCMP had already confirmed five establishments in Ontario and Western Canada after the publication of its report.
In Quebec, the police say they have heard that the establishments targeted are engaged in intimidation in connection with the regime of the Chinese Communist Party. “We are talking about pressure, veiled or not veiled threats. It even seems that there might be a climate of terror that reigns in the diaspora for some people. That’s why during the investigation, we corroborate and above all, we ask for the public’s help. We need information from people who are under pressure,” said Sergeant Poirier.
A special telephone line, 514-939-8301, has been set up to receive reports on this subject. Since the publication of the news Thursday morning, the phone has been ringing. “We try to generate reports and it works,” said Sergeant Poirier.
The spokesperson clarified that when it comes to foreign interference, the police can sometimes be successful in disrupting the plans of malicious actors, even if criminal charges are not brought.
The two organizations had not yet responded to an interview request from The Press at the time of publishing these lines.