Scudrunners

Can't imagine under what circumstances could TC seize private property

They don't need a warrant, either, to enter
your house and seize whatever they want.

There is no statute of limitations, and through
a very expensive precedent that they bought
and paid for in the Federal Court of Appeals,
Double Jeopardy does not apply to them, either.

Canada is a police state.  I recently had a
government employee state to me that "the
Charter of Rights doesn't apply to you".

I wished I had recorded that.

later - they seized my very expensive cell phone and laptop and have no intention of ever returning them

Dude, you have to spill the details on that one.

I'd love to know the details, too.

Can you call them up and ask them?
They might answer you.

Canada is a police state. 

When men with guns tell you to do something,
it is probably best to comply.  Perhaps when I
was younger I would have chosen the alternative
as you are suggesting but at my age I am unwilling
to enter into a gunfight over a phone and laptop. 
There are many more available in local stores.

Just another tax, illegally imposed.