Liberal MP George Chahal says the debate would ‘reassure Canadians that this chamber is treating these threats with the urgency they deserve’
A Calgary MP has proposed an emergency debate on “urgent” ongoing interference by the Government of India in the lives of Canadians.
On Monday Liberal MP for Calgary Skyview George Chahal outlined his intention to propose an emergency debate regarding foreign interference recently alleged by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Greg Fergus, Chahal said RCMP have gathered clear and compelling evidence that agents of the Government of India have engaged in, and continue to engage in, activities that pose a significant threat to the safety of Canadians.
Among the activities are, “coercive behaviour targeting Sikh and South Asian Canadians, extortion, and involvement in over a dozen threatening and violent acts, including homicide,” alleged the letter.
“This news has shaken communities across the country. Many of our constituents are feeling unsafe and afraid,” Chahal said in the letter and subsequent news release.
Canada expelled six Indian diplomats and India in turn sent six Canadian envoys home as a result of the RCMP allegations.
Chahal urged the approval of the emergency debate request, “so that we may reassure Canadians that this chamber is treating these threats with the urgency they deserve.”
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has also written a letter to House Speaker Greg Fergus, calling for an emergency debate on the RCMP allegations that agents of the Indian government were linked to cases of murder, extortion and coercion in Canada.
In the letter, Singh says “the severity of the situation and the danger it poses to all Canadians,” warrants an emergency debate, which would allow parliamentarians to discuss potential actions to protect people.
If Fergus approves the request, the debate could happen as early as Monday evening, once the regularly scheduled sitting of Parliament is over, an NDP spokesperson told The Canadian Press.
“All Canadians deserve to live free from fear and intimidation,” Chahal said.
India has denied the allegations.
More to come…
— With files from The Canadian Press and Postmedia