The Honourable Erin O鈥橳oole, Canada鈥檚 Conservative Party leader and the leader of the Official Opposition, released the following statement on the Conservative Opposition Day motion calling on the Trudeau Liberals to take action against China on Nov. 17.
鈥淣ow is the time to act. First, we call upon the Liberal government to finally grow a spine and make a decision on Huawei鈥檚 involvement in Canada鈥檚 5G network within 30 days of the adoption of this motion.
鈥淪econd, that the government develop a comprehensive plan to combat China鈥檚 growing foreign operations here in Canada and its increasing intimidation of Canadians.
鈥淚ntellectual property theft, counterfeiting and digital piracy are not exceptions in our dealings with China 鈥� they are the reality.
鈥淚t is high time our government and corporate leaders realized that.
鈥淐anadians of Chinese origin have been threatened by foreign agents in our country and the very values we hold dear, like openness, justice, and tolerance, have been weaponized against us.聽
鈥淲hen a dictatorship has so much influence that protecting Canadian citizens on Canadian soil is a question open for debate, you know you have a problem.
鈥淲hile the Trudeau government is ignoring the problem, Canadians are worried we aren鈥檛 doing enough to stand up to Chinese bullying.
鈥淲e urge Liberal MPs who care about these issues, who want to fight for democracy, to vote in favour of this important matter.
鈥淚t is time we stand as one. It is time we stand for Canada.鈥�
The Conservative Opposition Day motion:
That, given that (i) the People鈥檚 Republic of China, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, is threatening Canada鈥檚 national interest and our values, including Canadians of Chinese origin within Canada鈥檚 borders, (ii) it is essential that Canada have a strong and principled foreign policy backed by action in concert with its allies, the House call upon the government to: (a) make a decision on Huawei鈥檚 involvement in Canada鈥檚 5G network within 30 days of the adoption of this motion; and (b) develop a robust plan, as Australia has done, to combat China鈥檚 growing foreign operations here in Canada and its increasing intimidation of Canadians living in Canada and table it within 30 days of the adoption of this motion.
