Almost a third of police probes of diplomatic missions see subjects leave Canada

By Canadian Press on April 7, 2026.

OTTAWA — Almost a third of police investigations involving members of foreign diplomatic missions in Canada between 2020 and 2025 saw the subjects of the probes leave the country before their cases could be resolved through the legal process.

Documents obtained by The Canadian Press through an access to information request list 67 incidents involving members of foreign missions that required police involvement over that time period.

In 22 of those cases, the person facing the criminal allegations left Canada before charges could be laid or the court process was completed.

Nine of those involved allegations of impaired driving.

Another four were alleged instances of sexual assault.

The documents say in cases where a subject leaves the country before the investigation is complete, a section of Global Affairs Canada will raise the issue with the mission, while a court can issue a warrant if charges have already been laid.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press

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