The RCMP’s leader has stated that there is no proof to suggest that investigations were affected after reports emerged that FBI Director Kash Patel temporarily ceased cooperation with the Mounties in response to an internal CBC memo.
As per a recent article from the New York Times, Patel, in a fit of anger, aimed to penalize the Canadian law enforcement agency following a leaked memo instructing CBC reporters not to label the Sept. 11 attacks as terrorist acts before the 25th anniversary. The policy was later revised after widespread criticism.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme mentioned that no formal notice was received about the FBI halting cooperation. He expressed concerns about the public perception but assured that no investigations were reported to have been halted nationwide.
In response to the CBC memo, Patel issued a statement indicating that any Canadian agency not publicly denouncing the memo would lose the FBI’s friendship. Sources from the New York Times revealed that Patel took actions to punish Canada, leading to canceled meetings with Canadian officials for an unspecified period.
Duheme acknowledged hearing reports that Patel advised against entering the embassy on certain days but emphasized the enduring strength of the RCMP’s relationship with the FBI.
Despite potential fallout with the FBI posing risks for Canada, the two countries have a long-standing partnership essential for intelligence sharing. The alliance has faced scrutiny since the reelection of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has strained relations with Canada through annexation threats and trade disputes.
Duheme affirmed the RCMP’s commitment to cooperation, highlighting the importance of information sharing for preventing incidents. He emphasized the shared mission of protecting Americans and Canadians through collaborative efforts.
The FBI has chosen not to comment on the New York Times article. A spokesperson for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reiterated the importance of their relationships with U.S. intelligence agencies, emphasizing the mutual interest in continuing cooperation with the FBI.
CBC generally refrains from categorizing specific events as terrorism without proper attribution. Following public backlash, CBC’s senior director of journalistic standards issued a clarification, stating that direct attribution is not mandatory when describing the events of 9/11 as terrorism.
When approached for a response, a CBC spokesperson declined to comment on the matters between the FBI and the RCMP.