QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs
Canada-China Relations
April 22, 2026
Senator Moreau, Canadians were deeply concerned — and rightly so — to learn about the Prime Minister’s decision to sign an MOU on police cooperation with China during his last trip to Beijing. Canadians are now even more troubled to learn that the RCMP has acknowledged it cannot share key details of the agreement without Beijing’s approval. At a time when Beijing has been widely accused of transnational repression, surveillance and intimidation of diaspora communities in Canada, this revelation raises serious questions about your government’s judgment and commitment to transparency.
How can the Carney government justify entering an opaque law-enforcement arrangement with a regime that does not respect the rule of law or independent oversight?
Thank you for the question.
I already answered, concerning agreements with China, that the government remains committed to engaging with China in a matter that is consistent with Canadian values, interests, international obligations and public security.
Concerning public security, you know that for security purposes not everything can be public. That being said, the government is of the opinion that having an economic agreement with China is to the benefit of Canada. As a matter of fact, just ask our agricultural producers. They know there are direct benefits to having an economic agreement with China.
That being said, we are not —
Thank you, Senator Moreau.
I’m not sure if that was an answer.
Senator Moreau, can you confirm what specific oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure that any information-sharing or joint investigative activities with Chinese law enforcement cannot be used to target Canadians or undermine our national security?
National security is of the utmost importance for the government. We are taking all necessary measures to ensure our sovereignty and the security of the Canadian public. That’s a very strong government commitment with respect to China or any other country in the world.
