NDP forces study into Modi government’s alleged foreign interference in Canada

OTTAWA — Following the disturbing information released by the RCMP commissioner on Monday pertaining to violence, extortion and electoral interference allegedly at the hands of Indian diplomats in Canada, the NDP critic for Public Safety Alistair MacGregor called for an emergency meeting of the parliamentary committee of public safety, where he successfully passed a motion that requires parliamentarians to look deeper into the matter.

MacGregor’s successful motion calls for a study that includes ministers, senior officials, former leadership candidates in the Conservatives’ race in 2022 and expert witnesses from impacted communities and academia to provide briefings regarding the expulsions of Indian diplomats following the RCMP’s revelations.

“The information brought to Canadians by the RCMP this week is alarming. Foreign interference is real, and Canadians expect their representatives to stop it in order to protect them, our democracy and country,” said MacGregor. “The NDP wasted no time, took immediate action, and called on all parties to meet and discuss these revelations and steps that could be taken by the government to protect Canadians and our country.

“The RCMP told us that Canadians that are being extorted, killed, harmed and threatened by a foreign government on Canadian soil. We must do everything in our power to put a stop to it — Canadians are counting on us.”

The RCMP’s evidence that Modi’s government is using organized crime in Canada to kill and harm Canadians has led to the expulsion of Indian diplomats from Canada. The NDP says more needs to be done inside parliament to protect the nation from threats, which is separate from the efforts of security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

“Every leader in this country has a role to play to protect Canadians and our country,” said MacGregor. “That’s why NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on all leaders, especially Pierre Poilievre, to take this seriously, get their security clearance, stop looking the other way and join us to do the work to hold the Modi government accountable.”

Text of the motion:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study concerning the electoral interference and violent criminal activities carried out by agents of the Government of India, as identified by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians’ report and the RCMP's report from October 14, 2024, and the subsequent expulsion of six diplomats from the Government of India.

As part of this study, the committee hold no less than six meetings, ensuring an equal distribution of time for witnesses, and invite the following Ministers, senior officials, and expert witnesses from impacted communities and academia to provide briefings:

1. Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Melanie Joly.

2. Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc.

3. RCMP Commissioner, Mike Duheme.

4. National Security and Intelligence Advisor, Nathalie Drouin.

5. Experts from Canada's South Asian community.

6. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and any former leadership candidates of the 2022 Conservative Party Leadership race.

7. National security subject matter experts.

8. The Director of CSIS, Daniel Rogers

9. Deputy Minister of Public Safety Canada, Shawn Tupper.

10. Deputy Minister of Global Affairs Canada.

11. Witnesses to testify on the impact of the disinformation campaign by India.