Canada-China Relations Committee on June 7th, 2021

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

I will respond in general, and then I will refer to Deputy Minister Morgan.

We are very concerned about interference. As an advanced economy and an open and free democracy, Canada continues to be targeted by foreign states such as the People's Republic of China. This is not new, but it remains entirely unacceptable. Chinese government representatives in Canada, like all foreign government representatives, have a duty under international law to respect our laws and regulations.

I'll turn to the deputy minister regarding your specific question.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

I'd rather hear it from you, sir, while we have you. I can ask her that afterwards.

Alliance Canada Hong Kong and other witnesses have come before our committee in the past year telling us they've been interfered with. Human rights defenders who are protesting, Tibetan nationals who are running for student office and others have been threatened by agents of the People's Republic of China or parent agents.

What is the government doing in response in order to protect these defenders of human rights or citizens going about their business?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

As I began to answer in the previous question, we do not hesitate to speak up in this case if we're talking about China, and to let China know through the embassy that we are concerned about interference with Canadian citizens in Canada and that this is totally unacceptable. We vigorously take action if we are hearing, or find out, about interference with Canadian citizens.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

The suggestion by Alliance Canada Hong Kong to this committee—and we've heard it from others as well—was that Canada should require any agents of foreign governments operating in Canada, including China, which we understand has a number of them, to be registered.

Is Canada considering putting in place a foreign agent registry to at least require people to identify themselves?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

We're always looking to learn from the experiences of our international partners to see what may be advisable or possible in Canada. We take a whole-of-government approach to combatting foreign interference. The Government of Canada continues—

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

Can you be specific about the question asked, sir?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

We are continuing to look for new and innovative ways to enhance the measures in place to address foreign interference.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

Alliance Canada Hong Kong also complained that there appears to be a foreign takeover of Chinese-language newspapers in Canada by agents of China or companies that are related to the Chinese government. A suggestion was made that independent Chinese-language publications in Canada don't have the support they need. Would the Government of Canada consider looking at ensuring that there are independent voices able to communicate with the Chinese-speaking community in Canada, free from interference from the Chinese government?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

We welcome hearing from Canadians on examples of possible interference, and we're always evaluating ways in which we can combat that to make sure that foreign countries cannot, with their agents, interfere with Canadians.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

On another topic—quickly, as it seems I have a minute and a half left—since GAC has a responsibility and one of their roles is to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or the export of dual-use technologies, according to the 2020 report on military goods from Canada, there has been a significant increase in the rejection of exports of dual-use goods to the People's Republic of China.

Why has that increased in the last number of years, from very few three or four years ago to a substantial number now? In 2020, 40 applications were refused. What kinds of items were refused export to China on the basis of this concern?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

As I said to our colleague from the Bloc, we look at each export permit. I have to sign it, so I am responsible for it and for making sure that there will not be a misuse of anything we may export. A number of other factors are also looked at. Those criteria are there to make sure that if we agree to an export permit, we feel comfortable that the equipment—

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

I understand the rules, sir—

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

—will be used for what it is intended to be used for within the rules.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

—but can you give us an example of the kinds of things that have been rejected by Canada for export to China?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

No, I cannot give you an example, but I think you are quite right in talking about the items—I think there were 43—that were turned down for export to China.

[Jack Harris, NDP, St. John's East, NL]

My time is up, sir.

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Thank you very much, Mr. Harris.

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

We will now begin the second round of questions.

Mr. Paul-Hus, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Minister.

I would first like to say that I welcomed your opening remarks. I liked what you said, even if it sometimes seemed not to correspond entirely to the response of the Prime Minister or the government. In any event, it is a good start, because what you said is what we are actually seeing at present when it comes to China.

Obviously, the Chinese people, and Asian people in general, are not who we are talking about, since our comments are always directed at the regime.

On that point, the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Sajjan, came to see us a few weeks ago, and there was a comprehension problem regarding the geopolitical situation. I would therefore like to come back to the questions about the security and defence of Canada in geographic terms.

At present, China considers itself to be a near-Arctic region. Officially, is China a territory that is considered to be part of the Arctic region as a whole?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

The quick answer is no, because China is not one of the eight countries that belong to the Arctic Council. However, like a lot of other countries, China wants to eventually be able to navigate in the polar region if conditions permit.

That is a reality we have to deal with, of course.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Your answer relates exactly to my next question.

The polar silk road was announced by Beijing in 2018. I imagine that our American colleagues must have a lot of concerns about that.

How is Canada positioning itself regarding that probable route?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

We are adopting the same approach with all countries that want to navigate in the Canadian Arctic. If they are to do so, they must respect our sovereignty and comply with the environmental requirements we will impose on all countries.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Quite a few years ago, in 2008, Mr. Harper wanted to really position the border, in geostrategic terms, for Canada.

Are we able to clearly establish the borders of Canada in the Arctic at present?

[Marc Garneau, Liberal, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount, QC]

That is a question that is currently being examined by an international tribunal. A number of countries are affected, including the United States, Denmark, Russia and Canada. In some cases, the territories that are claimed overlap.

The decision is going to have to be made by an international tribunal. It will not be made tomorrow; it will be made several years from now.

[Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you.

You are familiar with the case of the Chinese researchers at a laboratory in Winnipeg who passed information to the Chinese regime. I would like to know where discussions stand with our American and foreign partners regarding the laboratory in Wuhan.

Does Canada still have relations with the laboratory in Wuhan, and if so, why?

Otherwise, where do discussions with the partners stand?