Canada has been assisting China's law enforcement to hunt fugitives for decades: Report

A recent investigation by CBC's The Fifth Estate has unveiled a long-standing practice of Canada providing assistance to Chinese law enforcement in their pursuit of fugitive Chinese nationals residing abroad. The revelation highlights a complex relationship that includes quid pro quo deals, according to individuals with firsthand knowledge of these interactions, including two former Canadian ambassadors to China.

Calvin Chrustie, a former RCMP operations officer in British Columbia, disclosed that he had received instructions "from Ottawa at the highest level" to collaborate with Chinese officials in pursuing a high-profile fugitive residing in the Vancouver area. Chrustie reportedly declined to facilitate a meeting between the Chinese officials and the fugitive, who was wanted for prosecution in China.

Reciprocal arrangements

Some instances of assistance to Chinese authorities have reportedly been part of reciprocal arrangements, where Canada's cooperation was motivated by various factors, including economic interests, trade deals, assistance in combating illegal drugs, and the negotiation of the release of Canadians arbitrarily detained in China.

Critics have expressed concerns over the willingness of Canadian authorities to cooperate with Chinese agents and law enforcement without adequately addressing the lack of rule of law in China. This has raised questions about the skepticism surrounding evidence provided by China and the activities of Chinese agents within Canada.

China's pursuit of fugitives

Since 2014, the Chinese government has actively pursued the return of alleged corrupt public officials and economic criminals living abroad through initiatives such as "Sky Net" and "Fox Hunt." The Chinese government claims to have successfully repatriated thousands of alleged fugitives for prosecution. The Fifth Estate's investigation sheds light on a complex and often controversial relationship between Canada and China, where geopolitical and economic interests intersect with law enforcement and extradition requests.

This revelation has sparked debate about the balance between cooperation with foreign authorities and ensuring that the rights and protections of individuals residing in Canada are upheld, particularly in cases where there may be political motivations or concerns about the rule of law in the country seeking extradition. As the findings continue to be discussed and analyzed, the implications for future cooperation and extradition practices between Canada and China remain a subject of significant interest and scrutiny.