Canada’s border company mentioned it was dedicated to defending its employees from threats and harassment — if the incidents happen “at work or as a direct results of their duties.”
The Canada Border Companies Company (CBSA) was responding to an officer’s allegations that the division had deserted him when India used him in a disinformation marketing campaign.
In a lawsuit filed in Ottawa final week, Sandeep Singh Sidhu alleged the Indian authorities had falsely branded him a terrorist to hit again at Canada amid a diplomatic row.
After Canada accused India of assassinating a B.C. Sikh chief in 2023, India’s media shot again that Sidhu was needed for a deadly 2020 terrorist assault, and was employed by Ottawa.
The information reviews sourced the allegations to India’s NIA counter-terrorism police, and used a photograph of Sidhu he had given solely to the Indian authorities when he utilized for a journey visa.
The Indian press protection alleged that Canada’s employment of a supposed terrorist in a nationwide safety job was “hypocrisy” and undermined Ottawa’s criticism of New Delhi.
A border officer for twenty years, Sidhu mentioned he has by no means been concerned in terrorism, and was utilized by India as a result of he has a standard Sikh identify and a visual, uniformed job in Canada’s nationwide safety equipment.
On account of the allegations, Sidhu confronted threats from supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, together with an X submit that confirmed his Abbotsford, B.C., residence and mentioned, “Go and kill him.”
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However when Sidhu knowledgeable the CBSA and sought its assist, his superiors advised him the matter was not work-related and declined to offer any help, he alleged within the go well with.
Responding to questions in regards to the case, the CBSA mentioned in an announcement that it had obtained the lawsuit on Dec. 2 and due to this fact couldn’t remark, however mentioned that it backed its employees when warranted.
“The Canada Border Companies Company is dedicated to defending, supporting, and aiding workers and their households in the event that they face harassment, assault, or threats towards them or their property, whereas at work or as a direct results of their duties.”
One of many Toronto attorneys representing Sidhu, Jeffrey Kroeker, took challenge with the assertion, arguing that the Indian authorities solely focused his shopper as a result of he wore a CBSA uniform.
“The CBSA knew the danger was actual, particularly since Mr. Sidhu introduced the matter to the CBSA’s consideration and since the very purpose for the misinformation marketing campaign was about Canada accusing India for conducting assassinations on Canadian soil,” he mentioned.
“The CBSA clearly knew his life was in danger exactly as a result of he was a CBSA officer and carrying the uniform of Canada, and so they did nothing to assist him. Worse, they mocked him, made his issues worse and turned their backs on him at his most weak second of want.”
The Indian Excessive Fee in Ottawa has not responded to requests for remark in regards to the case. Indian information shops contacted by World Information have additionally not responded.
The Canadian authorities cleared Sidhu of India’s allegations, discovering there was nothing to them, however he has struggled to get better from what his attorneys referred to as “an orchestrated misinformation marketing campaign.”
India has lengthy tried to depict Canada as awash with terrorists who help independence for what is called Khalistan, the South Asian nation’s Sikh-majority Punjab area.
Though the Canadian Safety Intelligence Service says solely a small variety of Khalistan supporters are extremists, India has depicted the matter as a menace and demanded motion.
Following the June 18, 2023, killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in addition to a collection of different violent crimes linked to Indian brokers, Canada expelled diplomats suspected of collaborating within the assaults.
However since taking workplace, Prime Minister Mark Carney has sought to fix ties with India within the hopes of negotiating a commerce deal amid the White Home’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian exports.
Stewart.Bell@globalnews.ca
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