There's no defending this reprehensible action by the federal government.   Khadr was a combatant involved in acts of violence to perpetrate a hideous militant regime, well  known for its murderous  oppression of women and children. Any mistreatment of him notwithstanding, he was unequivocally in the camp of an enemy of  America and Canada.   Handing cash over to this traitor will, hopefully, invoke the wrath of the USA and so it should.