7 October 1970

A variety of legal issues arose throughout the October Crisis, some of which were addressed in this draft legal brief. Although Canada was not yet a party to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, government officials were nonetheless concerned that their international reputation would be tarnished if the British disapproved of their actions. Transport of prisoners was also complicated because Canada had an extradition agreement with Cuba, but not with Algeria, making Cuba the more likely recipient. At this point, it was unclear whether or not Cuba would agree to a transfer under the existing Extradition Act, let alone the further FLQ demand of an eventual return to Canada.