Canada’s border agency said it was committed to protecting its staff from threats and harassment — if the incidents occur “at work or as a direct results of their duties.”
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) was responding to an officer’s allegations that the department had abandoned him when India used him in a disinformation campaign.
In a lawsuit filed in Ottawa last week, Sandeep Singh Sidhu alleged the Indian government had falsely branded him a terrorist to hit back at Canada amid a diplomatic row.
After Canada accused India of assassinating a B.C. Sikh leader in 2023, India’s media shot back that Sidhu was wanted for a fatal 2020 terrorist attack, and was employed by Ottawa.
The news reports sourced the allegations to India’s NIA counter-terrorism police, and used a photograph of Sidhu he had given only to the Indian government when he applied for a travel visa.
The Indian press coverage alleged that Canada’s employment of a supposed terrorist in a national security job was “hypocrisy” and undermined Ottawa’s criticism of Recent Delhi.
A border officer for twenty years, Sidhu said he has never been involved in terrorism, and was utilized by India because he has a standard Sikh name and a visual, uniformed job in Canada’s national security apparatus.
Because of this of the allegations, Sidhu faced threats from supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including an X post that showed his Abbotsford, B.C., home and said, “Go and kill him.”
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But when Sidhu informed the CBSA and sought its help, his superiors told him the matter was not work-related and declined to supply any assistance, he alleged within the suit.
Responding to questions on the case, the CBSA said in an announcement that it had received the lawsuit on Dec. 2 and due to this fact couldn’t comment, but said that it backed its staff when warranted.
“The Canada Border Services Agency is committed to protecting, supporting, and assisting employees and their families in the event that they face harassment, assault, or threats against them or their property, while at work or as a direct results of their duties.”
Considered one of the Toronto lawyers representing Sidhu, Jeffrey Kroeker, took issue with the statement, arguing that the Indian government only targeted his client because he wore a CBSA uniform.
“The CBSA knew the danger was real, especially since Mr. Sidhu brought the matter to the CBSA’s attention and since the very reason for the misinformation campaign was about Canada accusing India for conducting assassinations on Canadian soil,” he said.
“The CBSA clearly knew his life was in danger precisely because he was a CBSA officer and wearing the uniform of Canada, and so they did nothing to assist him. Worse, they mocked him, made his matters worse and turned their backs on him at his most vulnerable moment of need.”
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa has not responded to requests for comment in regards to the case. Indian news outlets contacted by Global News have also not responded.
The Canadian government cleared Sidhu of India’s allegations, finding there was nothing to them, but he has struggled to get well from what his lawyers called “an orchestrated misinformation campaign.”
India has long tried to depict Canada as awash with terrorists who support independence for what’s generally known as Khalistan, the South Asian country’s Sikh-majority Punjab region.
Although the Canadian Security Intelligence Service says only a small variety of Khalistan supporters are extremists, India has depicted the matter as a threat and demanded motion.
Following the June 18, 2023, killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in addition to a series of other violent crimes linked to Indian agents, Canada expelled diplomats suspected of participating within the attacks.
But since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has sought to fix ties with India within the hopes of negotiating a trade deal amid the White House’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian exports.
Stewart.Bell@globalnews.ca
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