Conservative MP Introduces Bill to Enhance Canada-Taiwan Ties

Conservative MP Michael Cooper rises during question period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 28, 2023. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

Conservative MP Michael Cooper has introduced a private member’s bill in the House of Commons aimed at bolstering Canada’s ties with Taiwan.

Upon introducing Bill C-343 on June 15, Cooper said strengthening ties with Taiwan is in the national interest considering it is Canada’s 11th largest trading partner and manufactures critical high-tech products such as semiconductors.

“Our economies are in many respects, complimentary,” he said at a press conference on June 16.

“Taiwan offers high-tech products and services that Canada needs and Taiwan could become a major export destination for Canadian clean and ethical energy, as well as the opportunities to expand exports in terms of minerals, agricultural, and agri-food products, not to mention opportunities to collaborate on innovation.”

Taiwan has increasingly been a geopolitical flashpoint in recent years, with the Chinese regime ramping up threats in an effort to claim sovereignty over the island nation, despite criticism from much of the Western world. Canadian MPs have shown solidarity for Taiwan amid Beijing’s increased military and economic coercion of the island nation, which includes staging live-fire drills and continuously sending military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

In April, a parliamentary delegation of MPs from all parties visited Taiwan, with a focus on discussing national security and foreign affairs with its government. In October 2022, Liberal MP Judy Sgro also led a parliamentary friendship group to the island, voicing support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.

Cooper said his bill would pave the way for Taiwan’s involvement in international organizations and trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which consists of 11 Pacific-region nations. He also called out Beijing’s effort to exclude Taiwan from organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“The only reason why Taiwan has not been able to meaningfully participate in international organizations, such as ICAO, is because of Beijing’s bullying,” he said.

“That’s unacceptable. It’s not in Canada’s interests, it’s not in Taiwan’s interest, it’s not in the world’s interests. It is in our interest for Taiwan to be able to meaningfully participate and, to that end, the policy of the Government of Canada must be consistent in that regard.”

Recognizing Taiwan

Cooper’s bill would strengthen support and collaboration with Taiwan in a number of ways. Notably, the bill seeks to enhance recognition of Taiwan as a de facto sovereign entity by renaming the two countries’ representative offices, whose current names reflect a lack of formal diplomatic relations. If the bill is passed, what is currently called the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office—the representative office of Taiwan—would be renamed the Taiwan Representative Office. Reciprocally, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei would be referred to as the Canadian Representative Office in Taiwan.

“What this bill fundamentally is about is recognizing Taiwan for what Taiwan is today—a vibrant island democracy of nearly 24 million people, with a world-leading advanced economy that is a true friend and ally of Canada. I’m hopeful that this bill will receive broad support across party lines and that we can move it forward,” Cooper said.

“We have beyond strong economic ties, strong people-to-people links, and most importantly we share common values including a commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”

He highlighted the support that Taiwan has provided Canada in times of need, pointing to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“It was Taiwan that stepped up to deliver critical PPE to front-line Canadian health-care workers,” Cooper said. “Taiwan can help and Taiwan does help.”