RCMP interviewing Canadians held in detention camps in Syria: sources
RCMP interviewing Canadians held in detention camps in Syria: sources
CTV News has learned RCMP officers are currently in northeast Syria, attempting to interview Canadians held in the Al-Roj detention camp ahead of their repatriation to Canada.
The three Mounties have so far sought interviews with only Canadian women.
In January, Global Affairs Canada agreed to repatriate seven Canadian women and 19 children but did not disclose their timeline. Most of them have been detained in camps described as open air prisons for nearly four years. The region has been controlled by Kurdish forces after they toppled ISIS militants in March 2019.
According to sources, RCMP are warning the women that they could face terrorism-related charges upon their return to Canada. Their interviews would be videotaped and used in future court cases.
One B.C. woman who was repatriated last year is monitored through a terrorism bond, while a Montreal woman who was brought back at the same time is out on bail, after being charged with terrorism offences.
Pre-dawn phone call from Syria
Ottawa lawyer Lawrence Greenspon received a call around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday from one of the women detained at Al-Roj camp. Greenspon says his client had concerns that she and her children would be blocked from returning to Canada if she didn’t participate in an interview. Greenspon advised her not to speak to investigators.
"As my ex-mother-in-law would say—no good can come of this. That would be consistent with answering any questions from the RCMP in these circumstances."
Greenspon says according to the repatriation agreement struck with Global Affairs, both the women and children are to be brought home "regardless if they speak to the RCMP or not."
Alexandra Bain with the organization Families Against Violent Extremism (FAVE) says three other women also declined to speak with the RCMP Wednesday.
"They told the RCMP they were delighted to see Canadians and that they were very kind but would only speak to them when they returned home to Canada with their lawyers present," said Bain.
Bain has been advocating for the release of Canadian detainees for several years. She has connected the men and women with lawyers and community organizations willing to help the detainees re-integrate into society upon their release.
This week, calls by human rights advocates to repatriate all its citizens were bolstered by an open-letter from the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, signed by more than 100 legal experts including former Justice Minister and Attorney General Allan Rock.
Will foreign mothers of Canadian children be repatriated?
RCMP declined to answer a CTV News inquiry about the status of four foreign-born mothers of Canadian children who are also detained at Al-Roj camp.
The women’s husbands are Canadians who are missing or who may have died during the Syrian civil war. Global Affairs has agreed to bring back their children, but only if the mothers agree to relinquish their guardianship. CTV News has reported on two cases involving women with children who suffer from severe medical issues.
"It’s a Solomonic choice," said Bain, who is spearheading an effort to get the foreign mothers temporary resident permits so they can get on a plane with their kids to Canada. She says Global Affairs has put these women and their children in a "terribly cruel position."
"These moms have been with their kids their whole lives. Their mothers have managed to keep them alive in an apocalyptic, horrific camp."
No Charter 'right of return'
On Monday the Trudeau government’s appeal of a court ruling ordering the repatriation of four Canadian men in prisons in northeast Syria was heard at the Federal Court of Appeal.
Lawyers representing the government argued the Charter doesn’t guarantee a "right of return."
"The right to enter Canada is meaningless unless it has with it a right of return," said Greenspon who made arguments before a panel of three appellate judges.
He says that the Government of Canada has been asked by the Kurdish authority—the Automonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AAMES)—to bring nationals home.
"We say the government has a duty to act," said Greenspon.
The government suspects the men of having ties to the Islamic State, but did not present any evidence in court.
In his initial ruling in January, Federal Court Justice Henry Brown previously said "there’s no evidence identifying why any of the applicants went to Syria and Iraq and there’s no evidence before this court of what they may have done there."
Bain watched the appeal over Zoom. She says federal lawyers took up a large portion of time during the appeal to argue that traveling to the region was too dangerous.
"The government said they weren’t able to get Canadians in—yet two days later the RCMP is on the ground," Bain points out.
A New Democrat MP is trying to convince his colleagues to change the rules that govern the House of Commons in a series of ways he says would instill 'democratic controls' on the prime minister's 'unfettered' powers.
Monday morning, the Public Service Alliance of Canada announced it had reached a 'tentative' agreement with the federal government for the 120,000 picketing Treasury Board workers who, since April 19, had been engaged in one of the largest strikes in Canadian history. Here's a rundown of the developments from Parliament Hill as they happened.
The House committee studying foreign election interference heard from top 2019 and 2021 Liberal and Conservative campaign directors on Tuesday, with party officials from both camps speaking about the need for politicians to come together to address any "legislative gaps" ahead of the next vote.
In the 2023 federal budget, the government is unveiling continued deficit spending targeted at Canadians' pocketbooks, public health care and the clean economy.
U.S President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have announced updates on a number of cross-border issues, after a day of meetings on Parliament Hill.
Special rapporteur David Johnston didn't recommend public inquiry knowing it was a pathetically insufficient response for a foreign democratic assault of this magnitude, writes Don Martin in an exclusive column for CTVNews.ca.
To frame a few new illustrations on pages tucked inside a passport as proof of a Liberal plot to purge the Canadian historical record seems like a severe stretch, writes Don Martin in an exclusive column for CTVNews.ca.
Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino is a bright former federal prosecutor, who was destined to be a star in Justin Trudeau's cabinet. But in an opinion column on CTVNews.ca, Don Martin argues Mendicino has taken a stunning fall from grace, stumbling badly on important issues just 18 months into the job.
It's the most peculiar of elections with the frontrunner and her main opponent being the same person, writes columnist Don Martin. 'In the looming Alberta showdown, it's Premier Danielle Smith versus her mouth.'
Two billion carbon-absorbing trees to be planted by 2030 was the eye-catching Trudeau government promise from four years ago. But according to a new environment commissioner’s report, a mind-reeling list of failures makes it 'unlikely that the program will meet its objectives.'
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade in a country reeling from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley held a major rally in downtown Calgary Saturday morning, while her United Conservative rival had no public events planned this weekend after a final pitch to voters a day earlier.
As seen in People, Cody Walker and his wife Felicia have named their newborn son Paul, in tribute to the fallen 'Fast & Furious' star. Paul Barrett ('Bear') Walker was born late last month.
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.
Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley held a major rally in downtown Calgary Saturday morning, while her United Conservative rival had no public events planned this weekend after a final pitch to voters a day earlier.
With advance voting open in Alberta and election day looming on May 29, CTV News Edmonton has compiled a list of ridings to watch in the capital region.
Chinatowns don't just share a similar look — they also face similar existential threats and David-versus-Goliath-like battles for survival. In her documentary 'Big Fight in Little Chinatown,' Karen Cho reveals how the pressure of gentrification is threatening these communities across North America.
Two women are dead and three people, including children, are injured after a head-on vehicle crash in Quebec's Eastern Townships on Saturday night. The collision occurred at about 11:45 p.m. near Farnham, about 60 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
With days to spare before a potential first-ever government default, President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy worked Sunday on completing a deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling while trying to ensure enough Republican and Democratic votes to pass the measure in the coming week.
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
Ukraine's capital was subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of Russia's war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday.
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade in a country reeling from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Newly elected Greek lawmakers were sworn in Sunday but the Parliament in which they sit may be dissolved as early as Monday, ahead of fresh elections on June 25.
One of the so-called godfathers of artificial intelligence says governments need to move faster on regulations to protect against the dangers of the rapidly advancing technology, before it poses a larger threat to humanity.
With just four weeks left until the House of Commons breaks for the summer, the weekly panel of political strategists on CTV's Question Period says it's likely time for the prime minister to shuffle his cabinet.
Almost a year before the closure of 24 Sussex Drive due to disrepair and an infestation of rodents, the chairman of the National Capital Commission's board of directors warned that further delaying a cabinet decision on the fate of the residence would put the whole structure at risk.
Allergies in both children and adults have definitely been on the rise over the last several years, much of the rise in allergies and asthma 'can be directly linked to climate change,' experts say.
It is a world wrapped in mystery - the seventh planet from the sun, Uranus, seen up close just once nearly four decades ago by a passing NASA probe and still warily guarding its secrets.
Egypt unearthed human and animal mummification workshops as well as two tombs in the ancient burial ground of Saqqara, officials said on Saturday, marking the latest in a string of discoveries that the country hopes can help revive its vital tourism industry.
France confirmed its aim to launch a vaccination program against bird flu in the autumn after results from a series of tests on the vaccination of ducks showed 'satisfactory effectiveness,' the farm ministry said.
Several Jewish groups, politicians and an alliance of civil society groups gathered for a memorial ceremony and a protest rally against a concert by Roger Waters in Frankfurt on Sunday evening.
Dedicated fans of 'Succession' are locking in plans to watch the whopping 88-minute finale while turning online for emotional support, memes and endless theories about how the show could end and who will prevail.
Mortgage delinquencies are expected to rise by more than one-third of current levels over the next year, according to some economists. If you anticipate being unable to make your payments and decide to sell your home, here's what an expert says you should consider.
A new report is casting doubt on the idea that Canada is facing a widespread labour shortage and bolsters the arguments by some labour economists that high job vacancies aren't due to a shortage of workers.
As Elizabeth Holmes prepares to report to prison next week, the criminal case that laid bare the blood-testing scam at the heart of her Theranos startup is entering its final phase.
It's a joyous day for Eve, resident falcon at the Université de Montreal: her babies are hatching. The event is being live-streamed on Sunday from a nest box atop the 23rd floor of a tower on campus.
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi capped his strong end to the season with a sixth goal in four games in a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in the final round of the Premier League on Sunday.
Marta Kostyuk, who is from Ukraine, avoided so much as any eye contact with Aryna Sabalenka, who is from Belarus, after the match, instead walking directly over to acknowledge the chair umpire. Sabalenka walked toward the net as if expecting some sort of exchange.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most famous endurance race, will be open to hydrogen-powered cars starting in 2026, Pierre Fillon, the president of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, said Saturday.
A Tennessee company is refusing demands from U.S. regulators to recall millions of vehicles due to airbag inflators that can explode and shoot shrapnel into drivers. While cases are rare, there has been at least one death in Canada, where officials lack the authority to demand a similarly sweeping recall.
Defending Formula One champion Max Verstappen produced a superb final lap to take pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday and deny Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso his first pole in 11 years.
