QUESTION PERIOD — Transport
International Civil Aviation Organization Conference--Taiwan
June 11, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Senator Harder, the Fortieth Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization will be taking place at its headquarters in Montreal from September 24 to October 4, 2019. As you know, the triennial assembly provides an opportunity for delegations from around the world to approve a budget, improve aviation standards and discuss new critical safety procedures.
Members of ICAO, dozens of UN agencies, NGOs, expert observer guests and international institutions are invited to attend. However, one important member of the international community was excluded at the last assembly in 2016, that being Taiwan. Can you tell us if Canada will support Taiwan’s direct participation in the upcoming fortieth Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization and submit a formal request to the ICAO president and secretary general supporting their involvement as an indispensable partner in the global aviation community?
Again, I thank the honourable senator for the question. He will know that there are a number of international organizations the participation in which by Taiwan is a matter that the Government of Canada supports. There are others which the Government of Canada does not.
Let me reference the question and seek guidance as to what position the upcoming ICAO meetings are being held.
Thank you, Senator Harder. I believe that Canada must do all it can to support Taiwan’s inclusion, since aviation safety transcends international borders.
During the last assembly in 2016, Canada failed to uphold its own policy to support Taiwan’s involvement when its participation is indispensable. At that time, Canada stood idle during the exclusion of Taiwanese journalists from covering the assembly proceedings, including one Canadian reporter.
Will the Canadian government take steps to raise this issue with the ICAO president and general secretary and stress that any threat to freedom of expression and the exclusion of journalists will not be tolerated on Canadian ground?
Again, I’ll add that to my inquiry.
