Canada-China Relations Committee on June 14th, 2021

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Again, let me just point to my response about the need for ongoing collaboration and research in the area of infectious disease, and I think—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

With the Chinese military....

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

I think if we've learned anything over the last year, it is that it's important that we commit to ongoing collaboration internationally to understand not just COVID-19, but certainly other deadly risks to Canadians' health.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Okay. Thank you, Minister. I understand. Let me move to my next question.

Is there any country, anywhere in the world, with whose military you think we should not be collaborating on matters of research?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Again, I will speak to my overarching belief, and not just belief, but of course, approach by scientists internationally to work together, and to work together on pressing and urgent problems that are not only posing great risks to Canadian citizens, but international citizens.

I will also speak to the incredible work on vaccine development that was really—

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Minister, that is not the question I'm asking.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

—as a result of international collaboration. We will continue as a government to support the national microbiology lab to have processes in place—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, it's my time, so let me ask another question, because you're not answering the question I'm asking at all.

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order. Could I have one at a time, please?

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Chair, I would love to be able to answer the question.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, we're not talking about general research co-operation among civilians. We're talking about a military that is in the process of committing, according to the House of Commons, a genocide.

Members of this committee and the public understand that viruses can be used in military applications. The Government of China is involved in gross violations of human rights and is taking an aggressive posture towards us and our allies, yet you seem comfortable with us co-operating in terms of virology research with the Chinese military.

Let me ask again: Are you prepared to put in place a policy to block—

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Mr. Chair, excuse me. I don't know if a witness can have a point of order, but I think it's inappropriate for the member to suggest that I have said something that I have not.

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Okay—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, I will finish my question and give you the balance of my time.

Viruses can be used in military applications. We know that there has been collaboration between Chinese military scientists and the Winnipeg lab. Dr. Poliquin has told us in response to the question of current co-operation between Chinese military scientists and the PLA, well, it's a complicated question to answer.

Are you prepared to tell this committee that you would put in place a policy to block research co-operation in cases where that co-operation risks enhancing the capacity of a foreign military involved in gross violations of human rights or threatening the security of Canada? Would you be prepared to take that position, or are you comfortable with the status quo in which, clearly, that co-operation has gone on with hostile foreign militaries, and by all indication, is continuing to go on? Are you prepared to put in place a policy to stop this once and for all, or not? The time is yours.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Okay. I will turn to Dr. Poliquin to talk about the extensive—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

No, Minister. I want you to answer. You wanted to speak; I want you to answer the question.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

I'm sorry. I understand that the member of Parliament gave me time to do with as I wish, and I will tell you—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, it is my time, and I want you to answer the question.

Are you prepared to put in place a policy to stop this very dangerous situation for our country?

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

Well, first of all, in your question there is premise that there is this kind of activity ongoing. It is a premise that you're making without any foundation in evidence.

Therefore, I will say this: The lab has processes in place to make sure that the research is done in a safe way that protects the health, safety and security of Canadians. I am happy to turn to Dr. Poliquin to repeat the processes that—

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Minister, you think everything is fine the way it is.

[Patty Hajdu, Liberal, Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON]

No, you're putting words in my mouth.

[Garnett Genuis, Conservative, Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, AB]

Is everything fine the way it is?

[The Chair, Liberal, Geoff Regan]

Order. In any event, the time is up.

Ms. Zann.

[Lenore Zann, Liberal, Cumberland—Colchester, NS]

On a point of order, I want to say, again, I can't believe the rudeness of our—