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Wine, candy and room service: How Ottawa spent $170,000 on Canadian ISIS women
Federal officials spent at least $170,000 bringing Canadian ISIS women home from Syria, according to internal government documents that show expenses for ice cream, candy and wine.
The money was for costs incurred when eight women who had traveled to the Middle East to join the Islamic State returned to Canada with their children in 2022 and 2023.
Newly-released documents show Global Affairs Canada paid for business class flights, stays at the Montreal Airport Marriott, room service, chips, chocolate bars and Timbits.
One hotel room cost over $1,000 for two nights because of a $95 wine tab. Another ran to $850, with charges for junk food and $25 servings of red, white and sparkling wines.
The costs included $2,800 for catering, $24 sandwiches at the hotel’s Bijou restaurant bar, and $86 worth of snack food and over-the-counter drugs at a hotel gift shop.
The expense reports chronicle room service meals of more than $100, books, clothing, travel bags, “Canadian pins,” and a “high value token of appreciation” purchased at Best Buy.
A server pocketed a $7 tip for serving two $4 teas, according to the expense reports, which also document purchases of Doritos, and Aero and Caramilk bars.
The expenses are for both the women and children, as well as the government staff sent to receive them when they landed in Montreal before carrying on to their home provinces.
The women were living in B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec when they left to live under ISIS, which had seized a swath of Syria and Iraq and launched a campaign of beheadings and attacks in the West.
As ISIS fell to Kurdish fighters backed by an international coalition, the Canadian women were captured and held with their children for several years at crowded detention camps in Syria.
The federal government agreed to bring them back to Canada after their families launched a challenge in Federal Court in Ottawa demanding their return.
Two years to release costs
Global News requested the documents on the costs of the repatriations under the Access to Information Act two years ago. The department did not release the materials until Aug. 7, 2025.
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The records do not appear to include the costs of sending Canadian officials to extract the women from Syria, but seem to cover only the bill for receiving them in Montreal.
The department wrote in a letter to Global News that it was withholding 50 pages of documents that “are currently under consultation with a foreign government.”
In a statement to Global News on Wednesday, Global Affairs declined to answer questions about its expenses, or disclose the full costs associated with repatriating the Canadians.
“While we cannot comment on specific expenditures related to the operation, Global Affairs Canada assumed certain immediate costs to support the safe return and well-being of the women and children repatriated to Canada,” it said.
A group formed by families of Canadians killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks said it was “deeply troubled” by the “extravagant homecoming” the women apparently received.
“Such spending raises serious questions about government priorities, public trust, and the integrity of our system,” said Sheryl Saperia, CEO of Secure Canada.
The return of foreign fighters who left to join terrorist groups should prioritize public safety, “not reward those who betrayed their country and broke the law,” she said.
By contrast, she said victims’ families have had to pay their own way to attend legal proceedings related to the terror suspects accused of killing their loved ones.
“The stark contrast between how our government treats perpetrators and how it treats their victims should alarm every Canadian and offend every taxpayer.”
The women returned to Canada in three waves starting in October 2022, when Kimberly Polman and Oumaima Chouay came back at a cost of $10,863, according to an entry in the documents.
Included in the costs was almost $2,800 for 100 emergency blankets and five first aid kits that were shipped to Syria “for the operation,” known as CONOP1.
A B.C. resident, Polman was allegedly part of an ISIS battalion that trained women to fight. She has been charged with terrorism offences.
Chouay, a resident of Montreal, pleaded guilty on July 21 to participating in the activities of ISIS and was sentenced to a symbolic single day in prison.
The second repatriation, in April 2023, was the largest, involving the return of four women from Ontario and Alberta, and their 10 kids.
Among them was Edmonton’s Aimee Vasconez, a Muslim convert who traveled to Syria with her husband Ali Jabbar, who was killed fighting with ISIS.
She then married a second ISIS fighter, “joined an ISIS battalion and has likely been trained in military tactics, weapons and techniques,” the RCMP alleged.
Also part of the same operation was Ammara Amjad, of Milton, Ont., who is currently awaiting trail on an ISIS-related terrorism charge.
The CONOP2 event was by far the costliest at $132,445, according to an entry in the documents. It also went $25,000 over budget, largely due to what were described as “higher than expected hotel costs.”
Because not all the women showed up for the second repatriation, a third known as CONOP3 had to be organized, at a cost of $27,800, according to the documents.
It brought back Helena Carson and Dina Kalouti, sisters-in-law who had left Edmonton with their husbands to join ISIS.
The expenses included Werther’s candies, a variety pack of Frito-Lay chips, Made Good Red Velvet Soft Baked Mini Cookies, and a Tim Horton’s order of 50 Timbits, two dozen doughnuts, 12 coffees and a large Ice Capp.
Another expense report noted a US$75 “purchase of 6 turkey & cheese subs and 6 cereal meals” bought from the U.S. military for the women and kids.
Carson and Kalouti were arrested upon their return to Canada, and placed on terrorism peace bonds that were scheduled to expire in September.
At least four Canadian men are believed to remain in the detention camps in northeast Syria, among them former ISIS sniper Muhammad Ali of Mississauga, Ont.
The government has declined to bring them back to Canada, and the Federal Court has ruled that Ottawa is not obliged to repatriate them.
ISIS “still poses a significant threat via its network of provinces, affiliates, related loose online networks, and due to its ability to inspire Canada-based threat actors to commit serious acts of violence,” according to the latest annual report of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.
TORONTO – John Schneider has a plan with his starting rotation now that newcomer Shane Bieber is healthy and ready to make his Toronto Blue Jays debut.
But moments after his team was routed by the Texas Rangers 10-4 before 42,549 at Rogers Centre on Sunday, the Blue Jays manager was reticent about when exactly Bieber slots in this week.
“We got some plans in place,” is all Schneider said.
The Blue Jays announced Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt — in that order — have been scheduled to pitch Toronto’s outings in Pittsburgh against the Pirates on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Blue Jays have Thursday off before beginning a weekend series in Miami against the Marlins.
The 30-year-old Bieber had six days off between his three rehab starts with triple-A Buffalo. He made his last start with Buffalo on Saturday, which puts him on schedule to pitch again in Miami on Friday.
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But even though the Blue Jays’ existing starting rotation of Scherzer (41), Bassitt (36), Gausman (34), Jose Berrios (31) and Eric Lauer (30) are 30 or older, they’re each competitors and thrive on heavy workloads.
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Berrios hasn’t missed a start in his career. Even though he had won four decisions before his poor outing in the series finale against Texas, he appears ready for a rest.
Berrios has gone six innings in only one of his last seven starts.
“I think everyone can,” Schneider said when asked if Berrios could benefit from some extra rest.
“I think whenever you can get guys extra rest, it’s always important, especially this time of year. But at the same time, you’re trying to win every single game you can.”
The Blue Jays (73-52) continue to lead the American League East by five games over the Boston Red Sox with six weeks remaining.
Berrios lasted only 4 1/3 innings against the Rangers, allowing six runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts and homers to former Blue Jays infielder Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Berrios said when asked if he was OK with a six-man rotation.
“But (Bieber’s) healthy and ready. I’ll do whatever.”
Schneider, however, still has faith in Berrios.
“When I think of him, I think of consistency,” Schneider said. “There’s been some ups and downs for him and a lot of guys.
“We’re still winning a lot of games, and he’s finding a way to keep us in games, too. He’s the same guy every single day. I’m sure he’s frustrated today that he couldn’t go longer or give up less runs. That’s just kind of how he’s wired.”
SPRINGER DINGER
In his second outing since his 15-game absence, George Springer belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
“It was a good day for him,” Schneider said. “He was actually doing a lot when he wasn’t cleared to play. He was getting a lot of reps in.
“I think being able to fall back on what he has been doing so well this year has served him well.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit said Sunday it is probing an incident that saw two Ontario Provincial Police officers discharge anti-riot weapons at a Gananoque man, leaving him injured.
The SIU announced the investigation on its website, saying in a statement that three SIU investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.
A 42-year-old Gananoque man was transported to hospital for treatment after OPP officers discharged their weapons at him inside his home, the SIU said, without disclosing his injuries.
The SIU is an independent Ontario government agency that investigates the conduct of municipal, regional and provincial police officers.
According to the SIU, “preliminary information” suggests officers with the Gananoque Police Service were dispatched to the area of Second Street and Victoria Avenue at around 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 15, for reports of “a disturbance in the neighborhood.”
Officers discovered that a man had allegedly barricaded himself inside a residence. OPP officers were dispatched to assist, the SIU said.
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Shortly before midnight, the SIU said, OPP officers entered the residence and were met by the man who was allegedly armed with “edged weapons.”
Two officers discharged their anti-riot weapons (ARWENs) and released their service dog. ARWENS are described as non-lethal weapons.
According to the statement, the man was transported to hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries.
An SIU spokeswoman said the man remains in hospital Sunday afternoon.
“Investigators are awaiting confirmation as to the nature of his injuries,” the SIU spokeswoman said.
The SIU urges anyone in Gananoque who was near or at the scene who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php
The SIU is called to investigate incidents involving the discharge of a firearm at a person by police in Ontario, as well as incidents that may have resulted in death, serious injury, or sexual assault.
All investigations are conducted by civilian SIU investigators. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, once a probe is finished, the SIU director must consider whether the officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident investigated.
Depending on the evidence, the SIU decides whether a criminal charge should be laid where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid.
The SIU must publicly report the results of all investigations.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
TORONTO – Solo homers from Alejandro Kirk and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were the only blemishes in Nathan Eovaldi’s effective seven innings as the Texas Rangers managed a 10-4 win in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.
Former Blue Jays infielder Marcus Semien and Wyatt Langford smacked two-run homers in the second and sixth innings, respectively, to help the Rangers (62-63) end a four-game slide.
Eovaldi (11-3) allowed five hits, striking out six with no walks in his 97-pitch performance.
The Rangers enjoyed a 2-0 lead when Kirk hit his homer in the second inning and were ahead 8-1 when Guerrero belted his 439-foot monster to left field for his 21st with two out in the sixth inning.
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Jose Berrios (9-5) was not sharp as his four-game win streak came to an end, as did the Blue Jays’ (73-52) three-game run before 42,549 at Rogers Centre.
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He lasted only 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on 10 hits, including the two homers. He struck out two Rangers.
The Rangers enjoyed a 5-1 advantage after Jake Burger’s single scored Semien, and a two-out single from catcher Jonah Heim scored two more. All three runs came with two out in the fourth.
George Springer belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning off reliever Hoby Milner in Springer’s second game back after missing 15 outings with a concussion.
Evan Carter answered with a two-run blast in the ninth.
Takeaways
Rangers: After going hitless in his first eight at-bats in the series, two-time World Series champion and MVP Corey Seager knocked a one-out solo shot down the left-field line in the fifth inning.
Blue Jays: Named Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt as starters against the Pittsburgh Pirates, meaning newcomer Shane Bieber likely will make his debut against the Miami Marlins on Friday.
Key moment
Heim’s bouncer up the middle cashed in two runs in the fourth inning to increase Texas’s lead to 5-1. Like Semien, Heim enjoyed a three-hit outing.
Key stat
The Blue Jays missed a chance for their 10th series sweep, which would have matched them with the Milwaukee Brewers for the most in 2025.
Up next
Toronto begins a six-game road trip in Pittsburgh on Monday and concludes with a weekend series in Miami.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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