The federal Conservatives are pressing the Liberal government to disclose the contents of a confidential law enforcement agreement signed between Canada and China, arguing that Parliament must be allowed to scrutinize any arrangement involving intelligence sharing and public safety cooperation with Beijing.
In a letter dated Feb. 9, Conservative MP and public safety critic Frank Caputo called on Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree to release a copy of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the RCMP and China’s Ministry of Public Security. The agreement was finalized during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China in January.
While several other agreements concluded during the prime minister’s trip have been made public, the MOU concerning law enforcement cooperation has not been released. Caputo questioned the decision to keep the document confidential and urged the government to allow parliamentarians to review its provisions.
“Memoranda with the People’s Republic of China, especially on matters related to public safety, should be subject to adequate oversight and parliamentary scrutiny,” Caputo wrote. He added that permitting members of Parliament to examine the agreement is both a government responsibility and central to his role as Shadow Minister for Public Safety.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced on Jan. 16 that Canada and China had agreed to pursue what it described as “pragmatic and constructive engagement in public safety and security.” According to the statement, law enforcement agencies in both countries would increase cooperation to combat narcotics trafficking, transnational crime, cybercrime, synthetic drugs, and money laundering.
However, questions about the specifics of the arrangement remain unanswered. Public Safety Canada has referred inquiries to the RCMP, which confirmed that the MOU is not a public document. In a statement, an RCMP spokesperson said the force is committed to working with domestic and international partners to protect Canadian interests and address shared criminal threats, including the fentanyl trade.
The agreement has also drawn criticism from other Conservative MPs. During a Feb. 6 meeting of the House of Commons procedure and House affairs committee, MP Michael Cooper raised concerns about collaborating with Beijing on law enforcement matters. Cooper argued that China poses a security risk to Canada, citing allegations of transnational repression against Chinese diaspora communities, interference in Canadian affairs, and threats to national sovereignty.
Minister Anandasangaree defended the government’s decision, telling the committee that cooperation with China is partly driven by a broader effort to diversify Canada’s trade and diplomatic relationships beyond the United States. He maintained that joint efforts on issues such as fentanyl trafficking and precursor chemicals are in Canada’s interest.
Outside government, former senior law enforcement officials have also expressed unease. Garry Clement, who previously served as national director of the RCMP’s proceeds-of-crime program, warned in January that closer intelligence cooperation with China could create vulnerabilities. He suggested that such agreements might allow Beijing to exploit shared intelligence and potentially undermine Canada’s standing within international alliances, including the Five Eyes intelligence network.
Clement also pointed to longstanding concerns about alleged Chinese government activities in Canada, including reported efforts to monitor dissidents and operate unauthorized police stations.
As political debate intensifies, the central question remains whether the government will release the MOU for parliamentary review or continue to keep its details confidential. For critics, transparency is essential when national security and foreign influence are at stake. For the government, the agreement represents a practical approach to tackling cross-border crime.
The issue is likely to remain contentious as Parliament resumes debate over Canada’s evolving relationship with Beijing.
