In a statement in the House of Commons on March 11, Dave Mackenzie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, referred to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's letter to the head of the Sikh temples worldwide and asserted categorically that "Canada will not tolerate any kind of action originating from our soil that promotes terrorism in other countries".
In his letter to Avtar Singh Makkar, Singh reportedly expressed concern over "die-hard separatists" and said India has "credible information' to show that the remnants of separatist groups in Canada, the UK, Germany and Pakistan are regrouping.
He reportedly said they were doing it with the help of other 'hostile forces'.
In his letter to Makkar, Singh claimed that "the government and our agencies have credible information of efforts being made by extremist groups to revive militancy in Punjab".
Mackenzie reminded Canadian Parliamentarians about 'the lessons of the Air India tragedy' and 'in a world where terrorism knows no boundaries, Canada has a responsibility to be on the lookout for those who want to use terrorism as a political tool. Our police, security and intelligence organisations remain vigilant."
Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai, who's parliamentary secretary to minister for foreign affairs,
Obhrai said Canada has already taken action by banning Babbar Khalsa and the International Sikh Youth Federation and warned any groups that promote terrorism will face the brunt of Canadian law. He reaffirmed Canada's commitment to fight global terrorism.
In a report, Vancouver Sun revealed there are efforts on the part of some individuals 'to delist banned terrorist groups that were formed to fight for Khalistan".
According to the Canadian daily, one Dabinderjit Singh, who travelled to British Columbia and Ontario recently "met with 300 people about his campaign to develop his Sikh agenda".
This report also claims that 'a senior official with the Indian High Commission confirmed on March 10 that the issue was raised by India as recently as 'three days ago with Canadian officials".
Vancouver Sun has quoted Indian diplomat Rajiv Sahi as having confirmed that they had 'taken up this issue specifically and other issues related to the resurgence of certain pro-Khalistan elements' and 'we do believe there is a certain resurgence of this movement here (in Canada).'
Obhrai said 'currently there are 40 organisations and groups listed as banned terrorist organizations under Canada's Anti-Terrorism Act".
