In general, I think issues such as forced labour are moral issues, but I think the real risks to Canadian businesses revolve around supply chains, sea lines of communication and, if there is a potential kinetic conflict within the region, how this will disrupt critical technology, such as semiconductors, being exported to the manufacturing sectors in Canada.
Let me just give you an example. Of course, semiconductors are all the fashion, but in reality, semiconductors go to the automobile factories that are producing cars in Canada and employing Canadians. If we have a challenge across the Taiwan Strait or in the South China Sea that disrupts these sea lines of communication, this will affect the automobile industries in Canada and the prospects for Canadian citizens.
I think we need to look at this in a more complex way. Any businesses in Canada that use products from the region—critical minerals, lithium, semiconductors or small parts—will be affected by some kind of conflict within the region.
I don't mean to downplay the forced labour issue, because I think it's really important, but unfortunately, I think it's a moral issue that I'm not sure we can deal with. We need to think about, again, the challenges associated with sea lines of communication and the weaponization of supply chains.
Thank you very much for the thoughtful question.