QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Contract Awarded to Chinese Company
December 7, 2022
My question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Leader, CBC’s Marc Godbout reported this morning that the government awarded a contract for a radio frequency filtering system to a certain company. These systems are supposed to protect the RCMP’s telecommunications.
Why did the government award a contract for filtering systems meant to protect RCMP communications to a Chinese company? Leader, what is going on within your government? I think there is a problem.
Thank you for the question.
The government takes seriously any allegation of foreign interference in our system.
The government relies on a rigorous screening system for all partners and all initiatives, including procurement processes. I’m told the government is aware of the allegations regarding the contract that you just mentioned with Sinclair Technologies. As the Prime Minister said, the government looked into the allegations, and it will take all the necessary measures to ensure the integrity of our critical infrastructure.
I’m also told that Minister Mendicino has instructed his senior officials to review the details of that contract carefully in order to reassess the process under which it was awarded.
Leader, are you aware that the filtering systems will be installed in all of the Canadian provinces, including Ontario? Where in Ontario do most of the RCMP’s communications occur? Right here in Ottawa. What is the reason for the RCMP’s communications here in Ottawa, on confidential frequencies used by public servants, ambassadors and foreign visitors?
Are you aware that you gave a Chinese company access to those communications and that that poses a national security risk for all government communications?
As I said, the government, the minister and Prime Minister have already shared their thoughts on that. We will be making inquiries to ensure that the integrity of our systems is protected.
