RCMP Apology to Arar

The RCMP has finally apologized to Maher Arar and his family for their mistake in identifying Arar as a terrorist:

RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli formally apologized Thursday to Maher Arar and his family for the "nightmare" caused by Arar's deportation to Syria by U.S. authorities, largely because of RCMP mistakes.

Testifying before a Commons committee, Zaccardelli acknowledged the pain caused by RCMP errors outlined by a recent federal inquiry. He said the force will act to ensure this never happens again.

The RCMP, he said, "will do whatever we can to see that no other Canadian citizen will ever suffer what happened to Mr. Arar and his family."

Zaccardelli praised Arar and his wife for the dignity they maintained in their response to what he called their "nightmare."

Justice Dennis O'Connor's inquiry report found that the Mounties sent unfair or inaccurate intelligence reports about Arar to the United States.