Open Letter to Prime Minister: Urgent Call to defend Canadian sovereignty from transnational repression
Open Letter to Prime Minister: Urgent Call to defend Canadian sovereignty from transnational repression
June 18, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Via email: [email protected]
Dear Prime Minister Carney,
Open Letter re: Urgent Call to Defend Canadian Sovereignty from Transnational Repression
I write to you today with grave concerns regarding new information this month that has confirmed what
many in the Sikh and human rights communities have long feared: that foreign interference and
transnational repression are immediate, active and ongoing threats on Canadian soil. This is further
reinforced by the annual report released last week from Canadian Security Intelligence Service that New
Delhi remains a persistent foreign interference threat to Canada.
The reported involvement of the Indian government, specifically, the RCMP has indicated that there is
credible evidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration was involved in the assassination
of Hardeep Singh Nijjar along with the alarming news report that former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was
placed under RCMP protection after being targeted by surveillance by a suspected Indian government
agent with ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal network. These threats represent an egregious violation
of our national sovereignty and the safety of individuals within our borders. June 18, 2025, marks the
second anniversary of the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Parallel to the legal process underway, the
federal government should be far more proactive in ensuring the safety of Canadians from foreign
interference.
It is beyond disappointing, under these circumstances, that your government would extend an invitation
to Prime Minister Modi to attend the G7 Summit. His long-time associate and India’s Minister of Home
Affairs, Amit Shah, has been credibly accused of approving illegal activities on Canadian soil, yet Canada
appears to be proceeding with diplomatic normalcy. This is no longer simply a matter of foreign policy—
it is about justice, accountability, and the safety of Canadians.
Inviting Prime Minister Modi to participate in high-level international forums such as the G7, particularly
as his visit coincides with the anniversary of the Golden Temple assault and falls just days before the
second anniversary of Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing, sends a deeply painful message to Sikh Canadians
who continue to live under threat.
Continuing to engage the Modi government without full transparency and accountability undermines
Canada’s credibility in defending human rights and the rule of law—both at home and abroad.
To this end, I urge your government to:
- Immediately suspend all security and intelligence agreements with the Government of India and
other governments directly involved in foreign interference. This should include intelligence
sharing, consultations, or any other forms of cooperation that could be misused to target
political dissidents in Canada. - Ensure full compliance with Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and our international
human rights obligations, particularly regarding freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and
the right to live free from foreign surveillance and intimidation. - Publicly call on the Government of India to fully cooperate in the ongoing investigations into
extrajudicial killings and transnational repression activities on Canadian soil, including public
accountability for all foreign actors involved. - Conduct a comprehensive review of Canada’s information-sharing frameworks with any foreign
states where there is a risk that such cooperation could facilitate persecution, targeting, or
surveillance of individuals in Canada for their political views or affiliations. - Declare India’s Bishnoi gang a terrorist group.
- Commit to a public inquiry on transnational repression activities occurring on Canadian soil and
its impact on targeted individuals and communities. - Immediately put in place Canada’s Foreign Agent Registry.
Canada must not allow our institutions to be used as tools of repression by India or any other foreign
governments. We must send a clear and unequivocal message: that our sovereignty is not for sale, and
that we will always defend the rights and safety of those who call Canada home.
Sincerely,
Jenny Kwan
Member of Parliament for Vancouver East
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