Canada-China Relations Committee on Feb. 6th, 2023

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

Okay.

If a diplomat were expelled, would you be able to comment publicly on the reasons for an expulsion?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Declaring someone inadmissible and expelling a foreign agent are legislative authorities and equities that are exercised by my colleague, the minister for Global Affairs.

There may be some cases where, for reasons pertaining to national security, some of that information makes it's way into the public domain and some does not. We endeavour to be as transparent about those decisions as we can be.

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

Okay. In endeavouring to be as transparent as possible, I'm sure the minister seeks your advice on issues of security involving diplomats.

In the last eight years, how many foreign diplomats have been expelled?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Let us get back to you on that.

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

Okay. Will you provide an answer to the committee on how many have been expelled on the basis of interference concerns?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Let us get back to you on that.

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

Chair, I'll look forward to that update.

When did you become aware of the so-called foreign police stations here in Canada? When did you first become aware of them?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I would have been briefed consistently on a variety of threats of foreign interference.

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

When did you become aware of that specific one?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

Again, with regard to the police stations, I would say to you that it was certainly within the last year.

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

Did you become aware of it before or after it was reported in the media, or at the same time?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I can't tell you off the bat exactly when media reports first surfaced about this. I would say to you that I've been briefed within the last year.

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

It's not a complicated question. When you saw the story in the news, were you surprised by it, or did you say, “Oh yes, this is something I knew already that has now made its way into the media”?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

What I'm saying to you is that I don't recall, and I don't know that you have the date that these reports first surfaced.

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

I wasn't receiving briefings about them from the department.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

You were referring to the media reports, though.

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

I first became aware of them through the media reports. I'm wondering when you first became aware of them as minister. Was it before or after the media reports?

Are you telling me that you don't remember whether it was before or after the media reports that you became aware of them?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I'm saying I became generally aware of this particular subject matter within the last year.

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

Was it before or after the media reports?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

That's the part that—

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

You don't remember.

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I don't remember when they first became publicly reported in the press, no.

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

Could you provide an update to the committee on that?

[Marco Mendicino, Liberal, Eglinton—Lawrence, ON]

I'm happy to do that.

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

Thank you.

In your view, is there any instance where it is appropriate for Canadian institutions to be co-operating on any matter of research with Chinese military institutions?