Question Period Note: Creation of a China committee

• Canada’s relationship with China is complex and multifaceted. It remains a priority for Canada
• Canadians are deeply concerned by China’s actions, including the arbitrary detention and arbitrary sentencing of our citizens and measures to restrict the trade in canola.
• The Government recognizes Parliament’s interest in engaging on these important issues, and is ready to receive the views of the special committee.

• On December 10, members of Parliament voted 171 to 148 in favour of a creating a special committee to examine the full array of issues in Canada’s relationship with China.
• All opposition MPs from the Bloc Quebecois, NDP and the Greens supported the motion to establish the committee, which would consist of six Liberals, four Conservatives, one Bloc Quebecois and one New Democrat.
• The chair of the committee, who would be a Liberal would only be allowed to vote in the event of a tie.
• The committee would be authorized to order Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Phillippe Champagne and Dominic Barton, Canada’s ambassador to China, to appear as witnesses “from time to time” as it sees fit.

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