QUESTION PERIOD — Foreign Affairs
Canada-China Relations
December 7, 2021
Honourable senators, my question is to Senator Gold.
I ask this question in the midst of the international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. My question to the government is about Canada speaking out of concern for the safety and freedom of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, which has been in serious doubt since the beginning of November when she accused a powerful former Chinese Communist Party official of sexual assault. Senator Gold, in a recent statement, Human Rights Watch criticized the International Olympic Committee’s, or IOC, eagerness to ignore the voice of an Olympian who may be in danger and to support claims of state-sponsored media in China. Why has Canada not spoken out about this case and called for an independent investigation as other governments have?
Thank you for your question and for underlining the very troubling and unacceptable situation. I don’t have the specific answer as to why the Government of Canada has not proceeded publicly and unilaterally as you’ve suggested.
However, I do know that the Government of Canada, working with its allies on this and on many other issues dealing with our very difficult relationship with a difficult country, China, continues to work hard — often behind the scenes but hard nonetheless — to make sure that China and our allies understand how unacceptable the Chinese behaviour, in too many respects, is to the Canadian government.
I wonder, Senator Gold, if you could please ask for an indication of when we might have a public statement from the Government of Canada on both the issue of sexual abuse by high-ranking officials and state disappearances of those who make accusations. Also, what specifically is the Government of Canada prepared to do to address the concerns around this particular case of Peng Shuai?
Thank you, I most certainly will make those inquiries.
