Dasvand
Ottawa (March 19, 2026) – The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) expresses disappointment following comments by RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme in an interview with CTV Question Period host Vassy Kapelos suggesting that “based on the information before him, there are no longer clandestine activities or transnational repression taking place in Canada that is linked to the government of India.”
While Commissioner Duheme indicated that criminal investigations may not presently reveal clear or direct connections to foreign entities, the Commissioner’s remarks appear to rely on a narrow view of active criminal investigations, rather than the broader intelligence and security landscape.
Earlier this month, Canadian Security Intelligence Service once again confirmed that India is one of the foremost sources of foreign interference and espionage in Canada. These findings align with longstanding concerns raised by Sikh Canadians and corroborated by multiple government agencies.
Commissioner Duheme’s comments are also in stark contrast to earlier comments in 2024 where he said that “agents of the government of India, through diplomats and consular officials, were collecting information on their behalf on Canadians, bringing it back to the government of India, and that would flow through actionable items to organized crime groups”.
A senior government official made similar claims prior to Prime Minster Carney’s trip to India which were rejected by multiple Canadian Sikh elected officials.
WSO President Danish Singh said today,
“It’s disappointing to once again see our Government and now the RCMP playing word games to shield the Government of India at a time when Prime Minister Carney is actively seeking to increase economic ties.
Commissioner Duheme’s comments taken strictly at their face value are that the current criminal investigations into transnational repression don’t point to a direct link with the Government of India, unlike in 2024. For the average Canadian, the Commissioner’s words will be understood to mean India is no longer engaging in foreign interference or transnational repression in Canada. That’s absolutely false.
Sikh Canadians continue to face intimidation, surveillance, and threats linked to Indian state actors and their proxies. We are aware of multiple recent incidents, including cases where Sikh activists have received ‘duty to warn’ notifications from Canadian law enforcement. We are aware of individuals being surveilled and intimidated.
This messaging feels like gaslighting to Sikh Canadians. If our government and Commissioner Duheme believes it must resort to verbal gymnastics to shield India in pursuit of renewed diplomatic ties, the true cost is the rule of law and the security of Canadians. Any attempt to downplay or obscure the reality of foreign interference erodes public confidence in our institutions and places vulnerable communities at even greater risk.”
WSO is a non-profit national organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights of all individuals.