A diplomat from the Chinese consulate in Montreal allegedly urged attendees at a September 2017 event to support a municipal candidate who is now the director of two organizations under investigation by the RCMP for allegedly being Chinese police stations. According to the original article by Montreal’s Chinese-language weekly Sept Days, Xixi Li, director of the Service à la Famille Chinoise du Grand Montréal (SFCGM) and South Shore Sino-Quebec Centre (CSQRS), moderated the event held at SFCGM, during which China’s then-deputy consul general, Bian Zhichun, reportedly congratulated Li on her candidacy and urged attendees to support her. Following the endorsement, Li lost the election but was elected as a Brossard city councillor in the 2021 contest. Photos accompanying the Sept Days article show that the event was also attended by former Brossard Mayor Paul Leduc and then-Montreal city councillor Steve Shanahan. The SFCGM and CSQRS, two organizations associated with Li, are under investigation for functioning as unofficial Chinese police service stations, although they deny the allegations. The Chinese Embassy has acknowledged setting up online service platforms but denied their involvement in any criminal activity. Safeguard Defenders has identified 102 such police outposts in 53 countries, including five in Canada.
Montreal councillor endorsed by Chinese diplomat under RCMP investigation.
