Federal crime reduction minister says it’s hard to get fix on money laundering

VICTORIA — The federal minister responsible for fighting organized crime says it’s difficult for law enforcement agencies and governments to determine the extent of money laundering in Canada because criminals are operating secretly.

But Bill Blair says the federal and British Columbia governments are committed to joining forces to fight money laundering.

RELATED: City of Vancouver pushing for public inquiry into money laundering, organized crime in B.C.

B.C. Attorney General David Eby and Blair held a news conference today and outlined what they are doing to protect communities from money laundering.

Blair, the minister of organized crime reduction, says the Liberal government’s most recent budget includes promises to create a multi-agency task force to battle the illegal practice.

RELATED: B.C. minister fears money laundering involves billions of dollars, cites reports

Eby says B.C. is waiting for the delivery of two government commissioned reports before it decides whether to call a public inquiry into money laundering at some Metro Vancouver area casinos.

Last year, an international anti-money laundering organization said in a report that up to $1 billion annually was being filtered through some B.C. casinos by organized crime groups.

The Canadian Press

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