OTTAWA – Canada has developed a troubling tendency: when reality conflicts with the current political narrative, we often choose to question reality instead of the narrative.
We can call it political correctness, progressive thinking, institutional risk aversion or, using the term that’s become common now, “woke” politics. Canada has fostered a culture where governments and institutions seem more comfortable managing the words around an issue than actually facing the issue itself.
I’ve spent a significant part of my career working with organized crime, money laundering, intelligence and national security. These areas are filled with uncomfortable truths that can’t be ignored. Criminal organizations aren’t concerned about political sensitivities. Hostile nations don’t tone down their actions just because acknowledging them might make Canadians uneasy. Money launderers won’t stop shifting billions just because governments announce yet another consultation.
Yet time and again, Canada acts as if careful wording can replace strong policy.
I’ve previously discussed Canada’s handling of foreign interference, influence from the Chinese Communist Party, organized crime, illicit finance and gaps in our justice and regulatory systems. I’ve also raised concerns regarding foreign investment in strategic resources and some troubling situations in Prince Edward Island.
These matters highlight a recurring weakness within our institutions: Canada seems hesitant to clearly identify threats when doing so could stir up political controversy.
Take foreign interference as an example.
For years, Canadians were told that foreign interference was being taken seriously. However, revelations eventually forced the government to admit how much foreign states-especially the People’s Republic of China-tried to sway Canadian political institutions and diaspora communities.
Canada wasn’t short on warnings. Too many ended up lost in bureaucratic processes where recognizing the seriousness of these threats carried political fallout.
The same pattern appears with organized crime.
Canada has turned into one of the top spots globally for money laundering. Criminal groups take advantage of real estate markets, casinos, luxury vehicles, trade channels, cryptocurrency and legitimate businesses to shift illicit funds.
We even coined a term for a particularly Canadian situation: snow washing-the process of laundering dirty money through Canada’s reputation as a clean and reputable jurisdiction.
For years now, experts, law enforcement officials, intelligence agents and academics have raised alarms about this widespread issue. In response, Canada issued studies, reports and made promises while criminals continued their operations unimpeded.
This cultural stagnation is especially clear when discussing immigration and border security matters.
Canada is built on immigration. That fact shouldn’t stop Canadians from asking reasonable questions about who enters our country, how they arrive here, who assists their movement and whether foreign governments or criminal groups are taking advantage of our immigration system.
However, bringing up such topics can lead immediately to accusations of xenophobia or intolerance which complicates discussions about serious policy challenges.
In my recent interviews concerning the Bishnoi Gang’s use of immigration pathways for young East Indian males via student visas were not based on ethnicity. National security can’t be assessed through an ethnic lens.
The essential inquiries focus on networks involved in organizing these movements along with financing sources and any potential state involvement. Yet too often it feels like Canada is more worried about public perception than following evidence wherever it leads.
A similar issue arises when we talk about the Chinese Communist Party.
Criticism directed at this party is sometimes seen as criticism against Chinese Canadians themselves. The difference should be clear-cut.
Chinese Canadians have frequently found themselves among those facing intimidation or coercion due to actions originating from Beijing. Avoiding investigations out of fear that they may seem discriminatory leaves these communities vulnerable to precisely those forces that need confronting within Canada’s borders.
A democratic government ought to welcome people worldwide while actively scrutinizing foreign powers along with criminal enterprises aiming to exploit our systems
This stance isn’t contradictory at all; however our political climate struggles increasingly with making such distinctions clear-cut
Difficult issues get oversimplified into opposing moral labels – one side labeled compassionate; another intolerant; one side called progressive; another reactionary
You can’t run public policy this way
The world of policing taught me always to follow evidence rather than start investigations by deciding what conclusion would be socially acceptable
You look into what happened first then determine who gained from it before examining connections along financial lines testing any intelligence against solid proof then acting based upon conclusions drawn accordingly Governments should operate under similarly strict guidelines
No instead bureaucracies across Canada have become increasingly afraid regarding reputational risks Officials learn quickly challenging conventional wisdom carries professional repercussions Institutions grow overly cautious language gets sanitized reports softened
This weakness isn’t lost on adversaries targeting us here at home
Totalitarian regimes study democracies closely Criminal organizations do likewise They find loopholes between laws divisions across jurisdictions weak enforcement capabilities plus sensitive topics ripe for exploitation
If they recognize invoking racism discrimination cultural sensitivity can deter scrutiny there lies incentive enough behind exploiting such vulnerabilities further
The end result reveals extraordinary imbalances Those attempting to take advantage within Canada’s framework carry no shame while defenders must act cautiously indeed<p None whatsoever requires abandoning commitments toward tolerance diversity fairness Those virtues represent strengths worth holding onto
But without vigilance tolerance risks becoming vulnerability Diversity without unity could lead toward fragmentation Compassion lacking enforcement might invite exploitation Sensitivity devoid courage may well cause paralysis
This tension runs through multiple issues I’ve covered over time
Canada isn’t overwhelmed simply because adversaries possess invincible strengths More often it finds itself outmaneuvered since those exploiting weaknesses show greater willingness confronting hard realities than do protecting institutions tasked ensuring safety
A confident democracy shouldn’t shy away difficult conversations
It ought instead worry about what follows if nobody wants broach them
[Garry Clement], former senior RCMP officer consults corporations focusing anti-money laundering contributed Canadian academic text Dirty Money wrote Undercover exploring shady world organized crime RCMP
He serves presently president CEO Clement Advisory Group relying decades long expertise combating financial crimes[./em]
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But without vigilance tolerance risks becoming vulnerability Diversity without unity could lead toward fragmentation Compassion lacking enforcement might invite exploitation Sensitivity devoid courage may well cause paralysis
This tension runs through multiple issues I’ve covered over time
Canada isn’t overwhelmed simply because adversaries possess invincible strengths More often it finds itself outmaneuvered since those exploiting weaknesses show greater willingness confronting hard realities than do protecting institutions tasked ensuring safety
A confident democracy shouldn’t shy away difficult conversations
It ought instead worry about what follows if nobody wants broach them
[Garry Clement], former senior RCMP officer consults corporations focusing anti-money laundering contributed Canadian academic text Dirty Money wrote Undercover exploring shady world organized crime RCMP
He serves presently president CEO Clement Advisory Group relying decades long expertise combating financial crimes[./em]
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