Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Prime Minister will be meeting the foreign minister of China today. I appreciate the opportunity to present a petition that highlights a number of concerns of Canadians that he might want to take up in the context of that meeting.
The petitioners note that credible reports have documented the use of forced labour in China, particularly involving Uyghurs and other persecuted minorities, and that goods produced using forced labour risk entering Canadian supply chains, undermining ethical trade and human rights. Canadian allies, including the United States, have taken stronger measures to combat forced labour and protect supply chains. The petitioners also note that foreign interference has targeted cultural and artistic expression in Canada, including performances such as Shen Yun, and that Canadian citizens, including Huseyin Celil, remain unjustly detained abroad, while other individuals, such as Jimmy Lai, are imprisoned for exercising fundamental freedoms. They note that Canada has a responsibility to defend human rights, uphold the rule of law and protect its sovereignty.
Petitioners want to see the House and the government formally recognize and address the use of forced labour in China; strengthen co-operation with allies, including the United States, to eliminate forced labour from Canadian supply chains; take action to oppose and prevent foreign interference targeting artistic and cultural performances in Canada; advocate for the immediate release of Canadian citizens, including Huseyin Celil, who are unjustly detained abroad; and advocate for the release of individuals unjustly imprisoned for defending fundamental freedoms, including Jimmy Lai.