Ottawa assessing blowback from expelling Chinese diplomat accused of targeting Chong’s family: Joly
Federal government under pressure over its response to foreign interference
Catharine Tunney · CBC News · Posted: May 04, 2023 11:51 AM EDT |
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says her government is assessing the likely consequences of expelling a Chinese diplomat accused of helping to target Conservative MP Michael Chong’s family.
Chong got into a heated exchange with Joly during a committee meeting Thursday after he accused the government of sending the wrong signal to foreign adversaries by not acting more swiftly and decisively on foreign interference.
Earlier this week the Globe and Mail, citing a 2021 top-secret CSIS document and an anonymous national security source, reported that China’s intelligence agency was seeking information about an unnamed Canadian MP’s relatives “who may be located in the PRC, for further potential sanctions.”
The story said the MP in question was Chong, who was sanctioned by China in 2021 over his support for a parliamentary motion condemning Beijing’s conduct in Xinjiang, a region in northwestern China, as an act of genocide.
The Globe also said that Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat in Canada, was working on this matter.
“We’re assessing different options, including the expulsion of diplomats, because it is important that we take a decision,” Joly told the foreign affairs committee Thursday.
The minister said the government has summoned China’s ambassador and is weighing the potential economic, consular and diplomatic consequences of taking punitive steps.
“This is about you, but it’s also about the interest of the country,” Joly told Chong.
“What we’re doing right now as a government is assessing the consequences that we’ll be facing in case of diplomatic expulsion, because there will be consequences. I think it’s important that Canadians know what we’ve learned from the two Michaels experience is that, of course, China and the PRC will take action.”
Chong fired back, saying the federal government’s first concern should be for the security of its citizens.
“This individual, Mr. Zhao Wei, should be on the first plane out or declared persona non grata,” he said.
“We are basically putting up a giant billboard for all authoritarian states around the world that says we are open for foreign interference threat activities on Canadian soil targeting Canadian citizens, and you can conduct these activities with zero consequences. That’s why this individual needs to be sent packing.”
Joly said the government’s decision “will have the best interest of Canadians and our democracy in mind.”
Chinese officials have threatened, intimidated Canadians: CSIS
Canada’s intelligence agency says it knows Beijing officials have travelled to Canada to threaten and intimidate Chinese Canadians and permanent residents into returning to China. That’s raising questions about the ability of police to investigate foreign interference.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) tabled its latest annual report in the House of Commons Thursday. In it, CSIS confirms it has known for some time about sub-national affiliates of the People’s Republic of China’s police service, the Ministry of Public Security, operating in this country without the government of Canada’s permission.
“CSIS has observed instances where representatives from various investigatory bodies in the [People Republic of China] have come to Canada, often without notifying local law enforcement agencies, and used threats and intimidation in attempting to force ‘fugitive’ Chinese Canadians and permanent residents to return to the PRC,” said the 2022 annual report.
The House of Commons has been seized with the issue of foreign interference for weeks — particularly the government’s response to so-called Chinese government “police stations” operating on Canadian soil.
The RCMP has said it’s investigating the “police stations” but hasn’t confirmed any charges. The federal government also hasn’t confirmed it has expelled any diplomats over the issue.
Conservative MP Michael Cooper faced off with Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino last week during a committee meeting on the issue. He accused the government of taking “no meaningful action.”
While the minister repeatedly said the clandestine stations in Canada have been shut down, two Montreal-area community groups under investigation for allegedly hosting secret Chinese government police stations say they continue to operate normally.
Mendicino stressed to reporters that police decide to lay charges independent of government.
“There are many provisions under the Criminal Code which may apply, depending on the facts on the ground,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mendicino and Joly have all said they only learned about the allegations from Monday’s newspaper report and that CSIS didn’t previously pass on information.
Trudeau said Wednesday he is directing Canada’s spy agency to share more information with the federal government about threats to members of Parliament.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China denied the allegations.
“We never interfere in Canada’s internal affairs and have no interest whatsoever in doing so,” said Mao Ning.
“At the same time, we are resolute in defending our sovereignty, security and development interests and opposing actions that interfere in China’s internal affairs and harm China’s interests.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/csis-annual-report-1.6831920
