Blackwater trained Canadian troops without permission
U.S. State Department left out of controversial deal, say court documents
The Canadian Press
Posted: Aug 8, 2012 1:59 PM ET
Last Updated: Aug 8, 2012 1:52 PM ET
Court documents reveal the company formerly known as Blackwater trained Canadian forces and police officers without permission from the U.S. State Department.
Canadian troops and police were trained for two years by the international security contractor formerly known as Blackwater without the permission of the U.S. State Department.
The revelation is contained in U.S. federal court records, unsealed in North Carolina as part of a $7.5 million settlement of criminal charges against the company now called Academi LLC.
The Harper government has had a standing contract with the company since 2008.
It's paid millions of dollars going back to 2006 for the specialized training, given to special forces troops and some police officers.
U.S. prosecutors say Blackwater didn't seek the permission required under American arms control laws for the instruction, which took place between 2006 and 2008 and included training in marksmanship, defensive driving, bodyguard and close combat skills. National Defence and the government have over the years defended their association with Blackwater, which had been accused of killing civilians in Iraq, by saying that the instruction was necessary and unavailable anywhere else.
Share Tools
For The Record: Federal Court ruling on robocalls and electoral fraud by Kady O'Malley May. 23, 2013 9:16 PM Read the full decision here.
Top News Headlines
- Greg Weston: Senate scandal may be Harper's worst hour
- The widening Senate scandal that the prime minister flippantly tried to dismiss as a 'distraction' just days ago has instead become arguably Stephen Harper's worst hour. more »
- 3 injured in Washington state bridge collapse
- A Washington state bridge over a river collapsed Thursday evening, dumping two vehicles into the water and sparking a rescue effort by boats and divers who searched the chilly waterway north of Seattle. more »
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
- The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »
- 3D printers give rise to 'desktop manufacturing'
- Customizable objects from plastic dollhouse furniture to medical prosthetics can now be designed and printed out by almost anyone at the press of a button, and is going to lead to an 'explosion of new stuff,' predicts author Chris Anderson. more »
Must Watch
Latest Politics News Headlines
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
- The Federal Court says it won't throw six MPs out of their seats over allegations of widespread vote suppression through automated robocalls in the 2011 federal election. But Judge Richard Mosley did find that fraud occurred in the election. more »
- Greg Weston: Senate scandal may be Harper's worst hour
- The widening Senate scandal that the prime minister flippantly tried to dismiss as a 'distraction' just days ago has instead become arguably Stephen Harper's worst hour. more »
- Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story'
- Senator Mike Duffy says he wants a "full and open" inquiry so Canadians can get all the facts about the scandal that has rocked the Senate and the Prime Minister's Office and that he has no plans to resign. more »
- PMO denies Senate appointments on hold pending reform
- A Conservative MP said Thursday the prime minister will not appoint new senators until there is "substantial reform" to the Senate — but a spokesman for Stephen Harper swiftly contradicted the claim. more »
- Duffy expense claims reveal more about campaign travel
- Election spending records show additional days Senator Mike Duffy spent on the campaign trail in the 2011 election, including days he told the Senate he was on business, and days on which Deloitte auditors couldn't track him. more »
The National
The House
- Questions mount for Harper and chief of staff Nigel Wright in Senate scandal May. 18, 2013 1:15 PM This week on The House, with Senators Wallin and Duffy now out of the Conservative caucus, we get reaction from NDP Ethics critic Charlie Angus. We also hear directly from Senator Patrick Brazeau who says the Conservatives have thrown him under the bus. Plus we speak with B.C. Premier Christy Clark after her stunning victory.
- 3 injured in Washington state bridge collapse
- Toronto mayor fired chief of staff for telling him to 'get help'
- Alleged Ford crack video seller not responding to calls
- Duffy says he wants to give Canadians 'the whole story'
- Pickup truck backs up over mother, 2 children in tent
- Vancouver man abandons Porsche on B.C. ferry
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford fires chief of staff
- Montreal lifts boil-water advisory
- Federal Court won't remove MPs over robocall allegations
