MPs and senators of different political stripes told NTD, The Epoch Times’ sister media, that it’s unacceptable for Beijing to intimidate and threaten Canadians and members of Parliament.
NDP MP Heather McPherson says it is crucial that a foreign agent registry that prevents China and other countries from interfering in Canada’s affairs be established.
“I think that’s vital,” she said on May 10, while at the “Taiwan Night in Ottawa'' event along with parliamentarians from different parties. “We need to have a public registry. There needs to be a registry of foreign influence.”
McPherson, who is also vice-chair of the Commons Committee on the Canada–China Relationship, added that the creation of a public inquiry on the matter of foreign interference is equally important.
‘Belligerence’
Citing the Indo-Pacific strategy, McPherson stressed that Canada must work with like-minded countries to protect democracies from the “belligerence we’ve seen from Beijing.”“One of the things that’s most important is that we continually find ways to strengthen our relationships with democracies, strengthen our relationships with countries in the region that believe in democracy, believe in rule of law, believe in a rules-based world order,” she said.
Liberal MP Judy Sgro, who represents the riding of Humber River-Black Creek in Ontario, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has now indicated to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) to bring to his desk any threats against any parliamentarian.
“I think everybody’s woken up to the seriousness of foreign interference,” Sgro told NTD. “It’s been going on for many years. It’s not just China, we have issues with Iran, Russia, and so on. But it’s just time that all of our countries band together to protect each other.”
She said Canada can learn from Taiwan, which is dealing with foreign interference on a daily basis.
‘Wolf Warriors’
Liberal MP John McKay says he is expecting more Chinese diplomats to be expelled from Canada after the recent expulsion of Zhao.“These people bear no relationship to diplomats,” said McKay. “They’re not really interested in persuading you, they’re interested in intimidating you.”
“I expect that more diplomats will be expelled one way or another,” he added.
McKay, chair of the Standing Committee of National Defence, described China’s diplomacy with Canada as one that is conducted by “wolf warriors” for the sole interest of their communist leader.
‘More Need to Go’
Cooper told NTD that the federal government not only has to expel Beijing diplomats who intimidate members of Parliament, but also those involved in meddling in the country’s elections.“Only one diplomat is expelled. More need to go,” the Conservative MP said.
Cooper said Ottawa shouldn’t be tolerating China’s aggressions.
“It is intolerable when we have a Beijing regime who so fundamentally disrespects Canada, who sets up illegal police stations, who interferes in our elections, who threatens members of Parliament,” he said.
‘Harsh Dictatorship’
Bloc Québécois MP Stéphane Bergeron said the belief held by Western countries that the strengthening of trade with China to improve the living standards of Chinese people “would bring more democracy” and “more respect for human rights,” proved to be wrong.“We realized that we were wrong,” said Bergeron. “The Chinese people still live under a very harsh dictatorship.”
The vice-chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development warned that the CCP’s interference activities may be “replicated” across the globe.
‘Not Acceptable’
Conservative Sen. Michael MacDonald said Ottawa has been “far too patient” with Beijing’s diplomats.“It seems like the people they send over here to be diplomats aren’t very diplomatic,” he told NTD. “We should be very strong in our opinions going forward, and let them know that their conduct is not acceptable in Canada.”
Responding to Lalonde’s expulsion, MacDonald said “that’s the way” Beijing operates, and stressed there is a difference in how Canadian diplomats conduct themselves in overseas missions compared with Chinese diplomats.
‘Put an End to It’
Conservative Sen. Leo Housakos said it’s “completely a dream, a pie in the sky” for Western democracies to believe they can “reform” the CCP.“We have to learn from history. Bullies and dictators, they do not acquiesce, they don’t come around,” he said.
Housakos added that China is operating in the “most nefarious way” by using intimidation tactics against Canadians and having their “police stations in our country.”
“We, as Canadian politicians and parliamentarians, we should never accept that. Your Canadian passport, your Canadian citizenship should trump anything else.”
The senator stressed that Beijing has been benefiting from the free market—consumer markets—that Canada and other countries have opened to them with “unfettered access.”
“We have created this monster called the CCP,” he said.
“It’s time to put an end to it.”