Premier calls for investigation of foreign interference & money laundering in P.E.I.

CHARLOTTETOWN – Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz says he wants a federal investigation into allegations of Chinese foreign interference and money laundering in his province by two Buddhist groups.

The premier has written letters to the RCMP and to a federal anti-money-laundering agency, asking them both to look into the allegations.

In the letters, Lantz says his province is concerned about allegations that the province has been used as an operating base for the Chinese Communist Party.

While the two Buddhist groups have been a source of public speculation and uncertainty over several years, he said comments made by a former solicitor general of Canada and former RCMP superintendent in Ottawa in early October have reignited the issue.

“It was suggested that information exists that would provide grounds for a criminal investigation,” he said in the letter to federal RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme. 

“Equally troubling are suggestions, made by the same individuals, that Prince Edward Island has been used as a forward operating base for the Chinese Communist Party. These are serious allegations.”

Claims of clandestine foreign interference must be examined by the relevant federal government departments and agencies, and through established legal processes rather than through speculation, he said.

RCMP did not respond to a request for comment on whether it would undertake the investigation, or what the next steps would be.

In his letter to Sarah Paquet, director of Fintrac, the premier said the seriousness of the allegations of money laundering and foreign interference in the province cannot be overstated.

“Recent public statements have suggested that Prince Edward Island may be at risk of being used as a conduit for illicit financial activity, including money laundering type foreign interests,” he said.

“We urge our office to prioritize this matter and to work collaboratively with law enforcement and regulatory bodies to determine whether financial crimes have occurred.”

The financial agency said in a statement that it is “committed to fulfilling its mandate as it relates to combating money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion and threats to the security of Canada (including foreign interference) within Prince Edward Island and across Canada.”

The Town of Three Rivers — where the two Buddhist organizations are located — said it supported the call for federal investigation and was pleased with the announcement.

“Council believes these steps are an important demonstration of transparency and accountability,” it said.

In February, the provincial government ordered an investigation into the land holdings of two Buddhist organizations in the province, saying Islanders have valid concerns about who owns land and how it is being used.

The government said the province’s regulatory and appeals commission would use the Lands Protection Act to investigate the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute Inc. and Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society.

The Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Lands released an open letter in February calling on former premier Dennis King to launch an investigation into foreign and corporate land holdings following up on a similar request it made in 2023.

The Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute in Brudenell, P.E.I., is a monastery for nuns, mostly from Taiwan, about 200 of whom live at the monastery while another 300 live nearby. In 2019, the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society included about 600 monks — most from Taiwan — living on separate campuses in Little Sands, P.E.I., and Heatherdale, P.E.I. 

In a statement, the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society, said it welcomed the call by the province for an investigation by RCMP and Fintrac.

“We understand the public’s concern about foreign interference, but such concern cannot justify speculation or unfair accusations against immigrant or faith-based communities. Any investigation must be based on solid evidence, not rumours or discrimination,” it said.

“For too long, the Buddhist community has endured groundless and harmful allegations. We are relieved to see steps being taken toward clarity and truth, and we will continue to co-operate fully with the proper authorities in the spirit of fairness and respect.”

The Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute said it also welcomed the investigations.

“Within the current global climate, concerns about foreign interference, fraud and criminal activity are real and legitimate. We are equally as concerned and affected,” it said in a statement. 

“Nonetheless, suggesting that our community has undermined the law, or adheres in some way to authoritarian control, is irresponsible and unwarranted. Through good-faith action, we hope the public will learn the facts from the appropriate authorities who have conducted thorough, open investigations.” 

Matthew MacFarlane, a member of P.E.I.’s Green Party, said it is about time that allegations of foreign interference and money laundering connected to Buddhist organizations operating in Prince Edward Island are investigated.

“The government’s letters to the RCMP and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada are just one step,” MacFarlane said in a statement. “And this step alone is not going to be good enough.” 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2025.