SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Jimmy Lai

Honourable senators, yesterday we learned that Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, at the age of 78 years old, solely for exercising basic rights guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

I rise today to say what Canada has failed to say, which is that this is a political prosecution carried out by the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms, and I call for Jimmy Lai’s immediate release.

This should be obvious. Yet, even the most glaring truths seem lost by many in Canada and around the world.

How rich it is that as Jimmy Lai is locked away for defending press freedom, Canada is deepening ties — including agreements to allow Chinese journalists into Canada and Canadian journalists into China — with the very regime that jails reporters, censors media and punishes dissent.

To no one’s surprise, Canada’s public response to Lai’s sentencing has been pathetic and weak. Anita Anand could only muster “disappointment” — no condemnation, no mention of China, no mention of the CCP. China’s leveraging of economic considerations in exchange for human rights, democracy and the rule of law is unacceptable.

Colleagues, there should be no more illusions. Jimmy Lai’s imprisonment should make one thing clear: The CCP is not a rational actor or a reliable “strategic partner.” It is a tyrannical, vindictive regime that crushes freedom, jails dissenters and ignores international law. It does not respond to quiet diplomacy or vague statements of concern. This is what the CCP really is.

This is the regime that the Canadian government seems committed to deepening ties with, making the CCP Canada’s new super ally. Colleagues, this is, at best, naive. At worst, it is a willing compromise of Canada’s values and national security for short-term political and economic convenience.

Canada’s credibility on human rights, our moral authority and the safety of our institutions are all at risk when we treat the CCP as a strategic partner rather than the vindictive, authoritarian regime it is. Our response, or lack thereof, is being watched by the world. It defines who we are as a country and what we are willing to tolerate in the name of convenience.

I will not stand here and express disappointment. I stand with Jimmy Lai. I condemn the CCP and demand that Canada act with clarity, courage and principle — not appeasement.