BOUNTIFUL, B.C. - Canada's best known polygamist family went on the offensive Tuesday, accusing Ottawa of discrimination and the RCMP of obtaining information under false pretenses.

In the driveway of his Bountiful, B.C., home, Winston Blackmore the patriarch of a family that includes 20-some wives and more than 102 children held a news conference, just days after fundamentalist Mormon polygamist leader Warren Jeffs was placed on the FBI's 10 most wanted list.

On Tuesday, Blackmore and his wives talked about how they've been targeted by the Canadian government because of their openness to talk to officials unlike many of their neighbours here who follow Jeffs and have cut off all contact with non-believers, especially the police.

Three of Blackmore's American wives have been ordered to leave because they've failed to meet Citizenship and Immigration Canada criteria for staying on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Edith Barlow, Marsha Chatwin and Zelpha Chatwin said they believe they were discriminated against because they're fundamentalist Mormons who believe in practising polygamy. Their principle belief often just called ''the principle'' is that men must have three or more wives to be eligible to enter the highest realm of heaven or the celestial kingdom.

Polygamy is illegal in Canada and the U.S., although it's rarely prosecuted in either country.

However, both Barlow and Zelpha Chatwin admit they don't qualify as skilled workers under immigration regulations, and Zelpha has been able to qualify for a student visa. As for their requests on humanitarian and compassionate entrance, they were among nearly 1,000 others filed annually in British Columbia.

The Blackmore clan is so angry the mothers may be separated from their 16 children they've contacted the U.S. consulate in Vancouver.

Blackmore said he has a letter stating the consulate is investigating to ensure Citizenship and Immigration Canada isn't singling out Americans and that it's treating them equally with other applicants.

The U.S. consulate was not available to comment.

Two more of Blackmore's wives Leah Barlow and Ruth Lane also claimed Tuesday that RCMP officers obtained information from them under false pretenses.

''They showed up on our doorstep. We had the idea that we had nothing to hide and nobody told us we didn't have to talk to them,'' Leah Barlow said.

''We didn't know this was all about gathering evidence against the person we love most. We are very angry and felt violated E Some of the questions they were asking were inappropriate.''

Last week, Blackmore said he believes he'll be charged with sexual offences within the next couple of weeks based on what he's heard from reliable sources in the RCMP.

The RCMP, Crown prosecutor's office and B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal will only say the investigation is ongoing.

Leah Barlow, a midwife, said she's also had her patient records seized by the RCMP, who recently executed a search warrant at her clinic.

The RCMP have also collected DNA samples from Blackmore, his wives and children to establish paternity something the 49-year-old Blackmore said he's never denied. He's always signed his children's birth certificates.

Blackmore and his wives said they believe he'll be charged with polygamy even though Oppal has repeatedly said the investigation is focused on alleged sexual abuse and sexual exploitation and not polygamy.