Canada-China Relations committee  I think the government is trying to find an appropriate solution. It is true that these are challenging times. Finding the right answer isn't easy, but the government is doing its best. I am no longer in the government, but I know it's doing its best.

Canada-China Relations committee  You have to put it in perspective. Yes, we want to have a relationship with the Chinese government, and Canada cannot control who the government is. While it isn't easy, it is what it is, so we have to accept it.

Canada-China Relations committee  I think there were probably two categories, and as I said, we were not always absolutely certain about this. There was a fog of uncertainty, and we also had information from security agencies who had views as well. One thing we certainly would not approve of at all is if there we

Canada-China Relations committee  I can't think of any. I know there was a case where the Chinese wanted to have some sort of security agent in Vancouver, and we had suspicions—or it was more that the RCMP had suspicions. That was denied. They offered him a position in Ottawa, but they weren't interested. That ac

Canada-China Relations committee  I remember that I made representations on behalf of Hussein Jalil in China, and I also spoke to people about him in Ottawa when I was ambassador. I visited Mr. Schellenberg when he was in jail, and spoke to his father. It's not as if we were not concerned about those people. As

Canada-China Relations committee  —but it doesn't reduce the importance of these others.

Canada-China Relations committee  When Chinese officials apply for a visa to visit Canada, our security officers review the applications because they are aware of the issues we've talked about. As ambassador, I had a role to play as well. A number of cases come to mind. When we thought, but didn't know for sure,

Canada-China Relations committee  No doubt. I'll put it this way. If Meng Wanzhou had not been arrested, I am very confident that the two Michaels would not have been arrested either.

Canada-China Relations committee  Not explicitly, but there were a few times when it came close to an implicit acknowledgement.

Canada-China Relations committee  Thank you for your question. I didn't have enough time to finish answering it earlier. As I said, those people are essential, in my view. Three-quarters of our staff are people from the region. They have much-needed knowledge, but there are security concerns. You're right. For t

Canada-China Relations committee  Well, look, I think you have to go back and realize—

Canada-China Relations committee  I'm sorry if I interrupted you. It's nice to see you again.

Canada-China Relations committee  I think it's a delicate matter as to how many political versus diplomatic appointments you make. Recently in the U.S., it's gone the other way with the diplomatic appointments, so that's good for the diplomatic service. In my case, I think there was a desire back then.... Rememb

Canada-China Relations committee  As I said, I had this double mandate: on the one hand, to pursue greater economic ties, and on the other hand, to stand up for human rights and our values. I spoke mainly about the latter, because I think that's what many members of the committee are more interested in. I don't

Canada-China Relations committee  It's hard to define whether we were the one country most leading the effort. We were clearly right up there, and we did lead the effort on the letter to the party secretary of Xinjiang province that was signed by the 28 ambassadors. We definitely led that, and I would say we were