The leader of the RCMP has stated that the national policing body upholds “strong ties” with its partners, seemingly minimizing reports that FBI Director Kash Patel aimed to retaliate against Canada for a CBC memorandum about the terminology to use for 9/11.

In response to a Friday report from the New York Times, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme addressed claims that Patel temporarily ceased some collaborations with the Mounties as a response to a leaked internal CBC memo guiding reporters on how to refer to the September 11 attacks ahead of the 25th anniversary.

CBC has a long-established policy to typically refrain from labeling specific incidents as terrorism without proper attribution.

In an official statement, the RCMP noted that it could not comment on the intelligence-sharing methods of other law enforcement bodies, but the commissioner emphasized that the partnership remains intact.

Duheme stated, “We cherish our relationship with our U.S. counterparts, as we collaborate closely to address threats to national security and keep abreast of emerging risks.”

“We sustain robust connections with Canada’s security and intelligence sectors and work in tandem with both domestic and international allies, including members of the Five Eyes alliance.”

FBI Director Kash Patel expressed his views on social media regarding the guidance in the leaked CBC memo. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/The Associated Press)

In response to international backlash, Basem Boshra, CBC’s senior director of journalistic standards and public trust, issued a clarification on August 28, stating that “direct attribution is not necessary for referring to the historical events of 9/11 as terrorism.”

However, it seemed that the damage had already been inflicted on the White House. Patel openly expressed his frustration, issuing a statement on X that “any agency in Canada that fails to publicly denounce this distortion of history, which is an affront to the memories of those lost in our largest terrorist attack in U.S. history, will no longer count on the FBI as a friend.”

As reported by sources in the New York Times, Patel aimed to penalize Canada, leading FBI officials to cancel meetings with their Canadian counterparts, informing them they would be unresponsive for a period. The publication also indicated that some cooperative efforts between the two organizations ceased around the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, according to individuals familiar with the situation.

These allegations could signify a new phase in the already deteriorating Canada-U.S. relationship, now with implications for public safety.

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Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated criticisms of Canada, including references to it as the 51st state, Canadian security and intelligence officials have asserted that routine operations remain largely unaffected.

A significant fallout with U.S. security agencies could have dire consequences for Canada, which heavily relies on intelligence partnerships like the Five Eyes alliance — encompassing the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand — for information sharing.

The RCMP and FBI share a long-standing collaboration, addressing a variety of issues from border security to terrorism and cybersecurity.

Canada appreciates strong cooperation with the U.S.: minister

A representative for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stated that the federal administration “values its close and enduring law enforcement and security alliances with the United States.”

Simon Lafortune, the spokesperson, remarked, “We are thankful for the efforts of both Canadian and American law enforcement officers and for the profound cooperation between the agencies of our two nations.”

“This partnership is vital for ensuring the safety of Canadians and Americans alike, and we will persist in engaging with our American allies in a constructive and respectful manner.”

The FBI declined to provide comments. The White House did not respond to inquiries regarding the allegations in the New York Times report, but spokesperson Lauren Bis labeled the CBC guidance as “disgusting and disrespectful to all the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks and their families.”

Bis stated, “These terror attacks were unequivocally acts of evil.”