More than 100 foreign interference investigations underway, RCMP chief says

Commissioner Michael Duheme told MPs Tuesday the force is probing allegations that Beijing attempted to target and intimidate MPs Michael Chong, Erin O'Toole and Jenny Kwan.

The RCMP says it has more than 100 ongoing investigations related to foreign interference, including one involving intimidation allegations targeting a Conservative member of Parliament.

Commissioner Michael Duheme told MPs on the procedure and House affairs committee the force is probing allegations Beijing attempted to target and intimidate Conservative MP Michael Chong and his family.

Duheme also said the RCMP has contacted elections officials regarding the allegations, including those involving other elected officials who have made claims of being targeted by Beijing.

Furthermore, among the allegations made over the past months were that several Chinese police stations were operating in Canada; Duheme told MPs those were now closed.

“We are comfortable based on the criminal intelligence that we have that the activities in the specific areas have shut down,” he said.

“I put a caveat: the policing activities have shut down, but be mindful that the buildings they were using sometimes are community halls, which are meant for other means, but we’re confident with the intelligence that we have the policing activity that was being done there has been shut down and investigations are continuing.”

Foreign interference, which has dominated the political atmosphere in Ottawa for months amid allegations of Chinese meddling in elections and society, has emerged as a priority for law enforcement, the RCMP has said previously.

So far, only one case has led to charges, Duheme said. In November 2022, a 35-year-old former Hydro-Quebec employee was arrested and charged for allegedly obtaining trade secrets for the Chinese government.