Question Period Note: Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The Government of Canada is extremely concerned by the repeated human rights violations by the Chinese Government, and as a result, will not be sending any diplomatic representation to the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games this winter.

• Our government is deeply concerned by reports of human rights violations against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.
• The promotion and protection of human rights remain a core foreign policy priority for our government.
• As a result, the Government of Canada will not be sending any diplomatic representation to the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games this winter.

• Boycotting Games is seen by some as a way of encouraging changes in behaviour, making a clear statement in a concerted approach to highlight foreign policy goals. Many argue the contrary, stating that even if one or more countries decided to boycott, such collective action would have little impact on the host country. Not boycotting could, however, appear to condone the host country’s actions. Some have noted that a Games boycott would punish and instrumentalize athletes who have invested their lives in their training and preparation for the opportunity to compete. Many suggest that other levers at the government to government level are the only way to make an impact, or that exploration of the imposition of sanctions on China should be considered beforehand.
• On February 6, 2021, 13 Canadian Members of Parliament from all five major federal parties in Canada signed a letter urging the International Olympic Committee to move the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Games) to another country over reported human rights abuses in China.
• In recent months, members of parliament have made several statements regarding the situation in China, and what action Canada should take in response. The Official Opposition in Canada urged the Prime Minister to request moving the Beijing 2022 Games to another country, and Bloc Québécois Parliament Member
Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe brought forward a motion in the House of Commons to have the Games postponed by one year by the International Olympic Committee.
• On December 6, 2021, the Biden administration announced that while the athletes competing for Team USA would have the administration’s full support, the US would not be sending government officials to the Games as a statement against China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang."
• On December 8, 2021, the Australian and United Kingdom (UK) governments announced that they would also be joining the US in a diplomatic boycott of the Games. New Zealand has also stated they will not be sending diplomatic representatives to the Games but has indicated the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason.
• Also on December 8, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would not be sending diplomatic representatives to the Games.
• Following the announcement, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) released a joint statement recognizing the decision and noting the important distinction that was made between the participation of athletes vs participation of government officials at the Games.
• As part of the Minister of Sport’s mandate, Sport Canada continues to work with Global Affairs Canada, other federal agencies and the COC and CPC to provide leadership and support and to ensure the safety and security of Team Canada in preparation for, and at the Games.
• Although no dignitaries will be attending the Games, Sport Canada will have two members to each of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in order to fulfill the crisis management role on the ground.
• While the recent appearance of the COVID-19 variant Omicron continues to complicate preparations for the Games, the health and safety of all athletes, coaches and team members remains a priority of the Organizing Committee, and the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees. They remain confident that the Games will take place and that the measures being implemented will provide a safe environment for all participants.

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