Mexico tops the list of countries with the highest number of Canadians murdered abroad since 2016, according to internal documents from Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Twenty-five Canadians have been murdered in Mexico since 2016, with 2018 being the highest reported year of deaths. The U.S. is the second highest ranked country in which Canadians were murdered abroad (22), followed by Jamaica (17), Philippines (13), and Burkina Faso (10).
CTVNews.ca obtained the information through an access to information request.
In total, Global Affairs has recorded 207 Canadians murdered abroad in 66 countries from 2016 to Nov. 29, 2021. This list does not include family, friends, or other acquaintances who chose not to contact GAC for consular assistance.
Sixteen were murdered from Jan. 1 to Nov. 29 2021, with the U.S., the Philippines, and Jamaica all recording the highest deaths with two each.
This information is made available only by request in Canada, which hosts a public database with details about the location and cause of death.
In a statement to CTVNews.ca, the department said in respect to confidentiality and protection of Canadians seeking consular assistance, Global Affairs takes 鈥渁ppropriate steps to remove direct and indirect information鈥� that could comprise security.
Leo Adler, a criminal lawyer specializing in Canadian and international law, says Canadian families have long struggled to gain access to information about the death or incarceration of a loved one overseas.
鈥淵ou come to the realization that you get off at some other country, you鈥檙e in their hands, you鈥檙e not in Canadian hands. The Canadian government, even assuming all the best efforts, can鈥檛 do much to help you. And frankly, it鈥檚 not as if we鈥檙e the United States that has the military, economic and other powers to be able to pressure a country,鈥� he said in an interview with CTVNews.ca.
Adler added that while Global Affairs does provide a list of legal representatives, beyond that the department is also somewhat restrained from being able to act.
His advice to Canadian travellers: don鈥檛 think the Canadian badge makes you immune from violent acts in other countries.
鈥淭ake a deep breath before you start yelling out, 鈥業鈥檓 Canadian,鈥� take a deep breath, you have to play their game if you want out as cheap as possible,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he bottom line is when you travel, you have to be aware that if you get into any kind of legal issues, you鈥檙e subject to the laws of that country.鈥�
