Canadian Parliamentarians Support Taiwan’s Inclusion in Pacific Trade Pact

Scores of parliamentarians and federal officials attended the “Taiwan Night” event on May 7, voicing support for the island nation’s participation in international organizations. Taiwan, known for its commitment to democracy, faces persistent political pressure and military coercion from Beijing.

Taiwan’s representative, Ho-jen Tseng, urged its inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as Canada assumes the rotating chairmanship of the 11-member organization this year. The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Canada and countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

“Taiwan and Canada are natural allies with alike values. We [believe in] free, open, democratic, and inclusive market systems,” he said at the event held at the Sir John A Macdonald Building in Ottawa. “With Taiwan’s inclusion in this trade bloc, we stand ready to contribute to a more resilient global supply chain, strengthen the market free from economic coercion, and foster a transparent system where confidence abounds and our enterprises can all flourish and thrive.”

Liberal, Conservative, NDP, and Bloc Québécois MPs attended the event.

Liberal MP Judy Sgro, chair of the parliamentary Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group, pointed out the robust trade and economic partnership between Canada and Taiwan.

“Tonight is truly a celebration of the friendship, the relationship, and the economic ties ... between Canada and Taiwan,” she said. “This is one more step forward to ultimately see Canada recognize Taiwan and accept it into the CPTPP so Taiwan can truly continue to flourish.”

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Conservative MP Michael Chong, who serves as the foreign affairs critic for his party, described Taiwan as “a beacon” of the principles of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. He also noted that thousands of Taiwanese and Canadians reside in each other’s countries, forming robust “people-to-people ties.”

“Taiwan is a shining example of that place in Asia that is a beacon of human rights and freedom. A beacon of the rule of law, a beacon of democracy, and that is why, folks, we must support Taiwan’s accession into the CPTPP.”

The Republic of China (ROC), was one of the five permanent members of the United Nations’ Security Council. However, after losing to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the 1949 Chinese Civil War, it became sidelined internationally. Following the ROC government’s retreat to Taiwan, many countries recognized the CCP-led People’s Republic of China, leading to the ROC’s replacement in the U.N. by 1971.

Despite not governing Taiwan, Beijing has made arbitrary territorial claims over the island. The Chinese regime has leveraged economic and trade measures against foreign nations and exerted pressure on international organizations to exclude Taiwan.

NDP MP Lori Idlout expressed sadness over Taiwan’s displacement by the communist regime in the U.N. She also highlighted her party’s support for the island nation’s participation in other international bodies like the World Health Assembly, Interpol, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“I understand that Taiwan had participated in the United Nations. I am very sad to hear that they remain excluded from most international bodies. Taiwan’s exclusion from multilateral forums means less for all. Closing gaps in the international system is important for the entire global community to be more inclusive,” she said at the May 7 event in Ottawa.

“As a vibrant democracy and strong economy, Taiwan has much to contribute to the international community. We strongly support Taiwan’s right to sovereignty, security, and a peaceful future.”

According to a press release from the Taiwan Representative Office, more than 70 MPs and senators attended the event. This includes Liberal MPs John McKay, Ali Ehsassi, and Robert Oliphant; Conservative MPs Michael Cooper and James Bezan; Bloc MPs Stéphane Bergeron and Christine Normandin.

Officials from various federal departments also joined the event, including those from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Privy Council Office, the Department of Global Affairs, the Department of National Defence, the Department of International Trade and Development, the Public Health Agency, and the Border Services Agency.