Trudeau orders his new gang-busting minister to target money laundering in B.C.

Aug. 28, 2018

VANCOUVER—The federal government wants to stop money laundering in B.C. and is asking one its ministers to focus on shutting it down.

In his most recent mandate letters to federal ministers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Bill Blair, minister of border security and organized crime reduction, to focus on ending money laundering in B.C.

Bill Blair, federal minister of border security and organized-crime reduction, has been asked to develop new policies and legislation and to “work closely” with provinces, cities, border agencies, law enforcement and community organizations.  (CHRIS YOUNG / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILE)

According to the letter, his “work should include a focus on cutting off money laundering which, as we have seen recently in British Columbia, support our efforts to counter guns, gangs and opioid distribution.” (sic)

The directive follows the release of a major report detailing how criminals are laundering money in B.C. casinos, and as the province examines money laundering in the real-estate sector.

The author of the B.C. government’s money-laundering report said he’s pleased with the directive and that Blair needs to ensure he co-ordinates with the provincial government.

“They’ve gotta be working together in lockstep on these issues,” said Peter German, president of the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy as well as a former deputy commissioner for the RCMP.

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In the letter, Trudeau directs Blair to develop new policies and legislation that will reduce organized crime and gang activity in Canada and to “work closely” with provinces, cities, border agencies, law enforcement and community organizations.

German’s report found that at least $100 million has been laundered through casinos. It recommended creating an independent regulator that could monitor the industry as well as a specialized, around-the-clock police force to battle money laundering.

B.C. Attorney General David Eby asked the federal government for support in March, as authorities have watched hockey bags and shopping bags full of $20 bills get laundered at casino teller wickets in the Lower Mainland.

Solutions to the money-laundering crisis can be found, German said, but a steady flow of information between different agencies will be required.

“The proof is in the pudding,” he said, “and that is working together with local authorities and the province to make change.”

Trudeau appointed Blair, Toronto’s former police chief, to manage border security and organized crime in July. He delivered new mandate letters to several other ministers on Aug. 28 following his July cabinet shuffle.