Article content continued

“He was pretty freaked out. The experience was shocking to him.”

There is also evidence CBSA was planning to boast about the removal to Guinea had it been successful. CBSA prepared a “proactive” communications strategy, meaning it was a story the CBSA wanted to tell. The CBSA planned to leak the news to the Post in a “low-key proactive email,” the communications strategy document says.

Further, it defended the approach as a necessity.

“The CBSA is [sic] carried out this removal in accordance with its mandate,” it said.

Mr. Williams also defends his actions.

“On removals, it is not a black and white issue. These are murky areas — you just have to be careful not to overstep boundaries. This was not a run-of-the-mill case. It was in that light that Simic was brought in. With him, we got further on this case than we had before.

“Detention costs were escalating, he was continuing in detention, the publicity was continuing, there was no end in sight,” he said.

Removals to third countries, although rare, are legal. He said traditional methods of removing Mr. Mvogo had repeatedly failed.

“You had to try to do things differently – not illegally, but differently. I didn’t do everything perfectly here, but I think we did the best anyone could have done at that point.”

The Post has been in email contact with Mr. Simic, who acknowledged his interest and efforts on the case of Mr. Mvogo.

“I have been advised by the CBSA not to get involved in any media inquires and to direct any questions that concerns CBSA back to CBSA,” he said.

A series of requests over two days to CBSA seeking answers to questions and comment on the case has gone unanswered.

National Post

• Email: ahumphreys@nationalpost.com | Twitter: AD_Humphreys