SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 192

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 8, 2023 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 192 - May/8/23
Ms. Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona, NDP)
  • May/8/23 3:56:37 p.m.
  • Watch
Mr. Speaker, this is, of course, a very serious issue that I am glad to see the government has finally acted on. However, my concern is that it took weeks of pressure from multiple parties. It took weeks of the member for Wellington—Halton Hills asking for action from the government, yet we did not see this diplomat expelled until just now. I am wondering if the member for Wellington—Halton Hills could talk about a concern that I have, which is how we would know if there were more diplomats. How do we have the transparency and the confidence that this has not been happening with other diplomats or happening in other circumstances to other members and other people within the House?
125 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 192 - May/8/23
Mr. Marty Morantz (Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley, CPC)
  • May/8/23 6:05:44 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Speaker, the diplomat was expelled today, two years too late. He has been operating on Canadian soil for two years and the government knew about it. Is the government negligent?
31 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 192 - May/8/23
Mr. Michael Cooper
  • May/8/23 6:05:55 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Speaker, I could not agree more with the member for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley. The diplomat should have been expelled immediately and the government had all the tools at its disposal. Article 9 of the Vienna Convention gives the government the unfettered discretion to expel any diplomat at any time for any reason. The government did not do that. In doing that, it sent a message to Beijing that Beijing effectively has a green light to interfere in our democracy and our sovereignty to the detriment of the safety and security of Chinese Canadians and all Canadians.
102 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border