Evidence of meeting #43 for Canada-China Relations in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was asia.
A recording is available from Parliament.
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
Pardon me. I'm sorry, Mr. Stephens.
We've lost translation, have we?
All right. I'll speak in English for a second and see if it starts to come through for you.
Is there a problem with Mr. Stephens' sound?
8:20 p.m.
Bloc
8:20 p.m.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
The interpreters are saying that the witness's sound is not good enough.
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
Mr. Ostwald, can you just speak for a moment and see if Mr. Bergeron is picking up the French?
8:20 p.m.
Associate Professor, Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Yes. Testing.... Do you hear this?
8:20 p.m.
Associate Professor, Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia, As an Individual
Sure.
8:20 p.m.
NDP
Heather McPherson NDP Edmonton Strathcona, AB
Do you want us to ask you a question? Why don't you tell me more about AUKUS?
Is that what you're...?
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
Mr. Stephens, move your microphone up so that, again, the boom is right between your nose and your lip, right in there. That sounds about right.
8:20 p.m.
Distinguished Fellow, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, As an Individual
How's that?
8:20 p.m.
Distinguished Fellow, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, As an Individual
All right.
What I was trying to convey was that I think the IPS identifies a number of areas where Canada can make a positive contribution by focusing on areas where we have strengths. By doing that, that will help us, by definition, differentiate ourselves from a superpower like the United States.
8:20 p.m.
NDP
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
All right. Thank you.
That brings our first panel to a close.
I wish to thank very much Professor Ba, Professor Ostwald and Mr. Stephens.
Thank you for your very insightful comments in response our questions today.
We will now suspend for a few minutes while we flip over to....
Yes, Mr. Kmiec.
8:20 p.m.
Conservative
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
Before this part ends—and I know you have to suspend to get the others—could I move a motion now?
8:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
Yes, you can.
We'll just release our witnesses now.
You're free for the rest of the evening, I hope. Thank you, again, very much.
Mr. Kmiec.
June 3rd, 2024 / 8:20 p.m.
Conservative
Tom Kmiec Conservative Calgary Shepard, AB
I gave notice of a motion. I know there have been discussions with the parties, so I'll read it into the record, and I'll do it slowly, so that the interpreters can interpret alongside me.
I move:
That the committee report the following to the House:
(a) That the Special Committee on the Canada-People's Republic of China Relationship condemns the verdict of Hong Kong’s High Court on May 30, 2024, which found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty for “conspiracy to subvert state power” simply for exercising their democratic and free speech rights;
(b) that the committee expresses its view that the trial was politically motivated and a violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, an international treaty, which states: “a prosecuting authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions free from any interference” and “the courts shall exercise judicial power independently and free from any interference”;
(c) that the committee expresses its view that the national security law imposed by Beijing, under which the 14 activists were found guilty, is a violation of the Joint Declaration, which states: “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government shall maintain the rights and freedoms as provided for by the laws previously in force in Hong Kong, including freedom of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, to form and join trade unions, of correspondence, of travel, of movement, of strike, of demonstration, of choice of occupation, of academic research, of belief, inviolability of the home, the freedom to marry and the right to raise a family freely”;
(d) that the committee objects to the ongoing violations by the authorities of the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people of Hong Kong in the Joint Declaration; and
(e) that the committee calls upon the authorities of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to immediately release the 14 pro-democracy activists.
It's self-explanatory. I won't engage in debate.
8:25 p.m.
Liberal
Rob Oliphant Liberal Don Valley West, ON
We are supportive of the motion but would like to add an (f) to it. I move to add:
(f) that while noting the government issued a statement on May 30, 2024, expressing its concerns regarding the verdict on the “Hong Kong 47” trial, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report pursuant to Standing Order 109.
8:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
Are there any other comments?
(Amendment agreed to)
(Motion as amended agreed to)
I think we're good.
Thank you very much, Mr. Kmiec.
We'll now suspend while we set up for our next panel. Thank you.
8:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken Hardie
I call the meeting back to order.
We're back in session. I wish to say hello to our second panel.
From McGill University, we have Erik Kuhonta, associate professor in the department of political science, by video conference. From the University of Ottawa, we have Melissa Marschke. From the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, we have Wayne Christopher Farmer, president.
We'll begin with opening statements of five minutes or less from each of you, and we will begin with Mr. Kuhonta from McGill University.
Mr. Kuhonta, you have five minutes or less.