Reference Material – Committee Reports and Transcripts
On this page
House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations – Meeting Summary Report – March 11, 2021
Summary
Yesterday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the House Special Committee on Canada-China Relations held its second meeting for its study on “National Security Dimensions of Canada-China Relations”.
During the first hour, the Committee heard from Rob Stewart, Deputy Minister of Public Safety Canada, Brenda Lucki, Commissioner of the RCMP, John Ossowski President of the CBSA, David Vigneault Director of CSIS, Shelly Bruce, Chief of the CSE, and Scott Jones, Head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security.
During the straightforward and informative meeting, members’ questions focused on gaining additional detail and insight on the key issues raised during the February 25 meeting with the same senior officials, including: securing intellectual property in research in development, Huawei and 5G, foreign interference, trafficking of illicit opioids, and cyber security threats.
Dr. Scott Halperin, Director of the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology, appeared during the second part of the meeting to answer questions on COVID-19 vaccine development and research. Opposition questions focused on the Government’s cancelled agreement with CanSino Biologics Inc. for COVID-19 vaccine sample trials in spring 2020.
National Defence was not raised during the meeting.
Report
National Security Panel with Government Officials
CPC members questioned witnesses on their organizations’ role in supporting cyber security for universities and Canadian businesses, government investigations into reports of cyber-attacks and foreign interference, and Huawei and 5G. Several CPC members pressed the officials for information on security threats related to Huawei in Canada’s 5G Network and when the government’s study of the issue will be completed. CPC member Pierre Paul-Hus also asked Director of CSIS, David Vigneault, about the sophistication of China’s intelligence, cyber, and interference capabilities. “In response, Mr. Vigneault responded that the cyber threat environment is becoming more complex and that 5G networks are a lucrative target by malign actors, but highlighted that there are comprehensive safeguards to mitigate these threats. Officials from CSE echoed these comments. Although a number of members pressed for details on cyber investigations and the government decision on Huawei, officials advised that they were unable to respond to these questions due to security sensitivities and government confidences.
LPC members asked questions on fentanyl trafficking, the protection of Canadian research and development at Canadian universities, and rising rates of racial discrimination against Asian Canadians. Peter Fragiskatos also asked what the government is doing to ensure products produced through forced labour in the Xinjiang region of China are not sold in Canada or by Canadian companies. Officials responded by outlining the legal frameworks, policies, and processes in place to address these issues and protect Canadians against threats.
BQ member Stéphane Bergeron and NDP member Jack Harris again focused their questions on the VFSGlobal Visa Centre contracts at a Canadian immigration office Beijing, where a Chinese company is sub-contracted for administrative support. Both members pressed the government officials on what security screening and risk assessments were completed for this contract; however witnesses were not able to provide this information publically. Jack Harris also probed on the findings of a CSE 2018 report on security breaches related to managed-service providers in Canada.
Dr. Halperin, Director of Canadian Centre for Vaccinology
Committee members from all parties focused their questions on the details of the cancelled agreement with CanSino Biologics Inc. to provide COVID-19 trial samples to Canada in spring 2020. Dr. Halperin underscored that the original agreement was for phase one trials only and was dissolved when it CanSino’s laboratory in Beijing was unable to acquire export permits to supply to samples to Canada. Dr. Halperin implied the Chinese government’s decision to not grant the export permits was politically motivated, noting that CanSino was granted permission to export trial vaccines to other countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Pakistan.
Regarding security concerns related to collaborating with vaccine companies with links to China, Dr. Halperin noted that these risks are well known in the academic community and that his organization received security briefings and advice from CSIS to help safeguard intellectual property. He also confirmed that all personal and results data related for the planned CanSino trials were to be held and secured in Canada.
Committee business
Committee members approved the work plan for the remainder of the study’s eight meetings, but agreed to remain flexible for appearances to accommodate witness availability.
Next steps
The Minister of National Defence is expected to appear at CACN on March 25, accompanied by the Deputy Minister, DOS, and Comd CFINTCOM. Parliamentary Affairs is working the relevant L1s to prepare for this appearance.
CACN members present at meeting
- Hon. Geoff Regan (LPC)
- Emmanuel Dubourg (LPC)
- Peter Fragiskatos (LPC)
- Joël Lightbound (LPC)
- Jean Yip (LPC)
- Lenore Zann (LPC)
- Garnett Genuis (CPC)
- Hon. Michael D. Chong (CPC)
- Pierre Paul-Hus (CPC)
- John Williamson (CPC)
- Stéphane Bergeron (BQ)
- Jack Harris (NDP)
Meeting Summary Report – February 25, 2021
Summary
Yesterday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the House Special Committee on Canada-China Relations held its first meeting on “National Security Dimensions of Canada-China Relations”as part of its ongoing study of Canada-China Relations.
Committee heard from the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honorable Bill Blair, the Deputy Minister of Public Safety Canada, who appeared alongside, Rob Stewart, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Brenda Lucki, the President of the Canada Border Services Agency, John Ossowski, the Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, David Vigneault, and the Chief of the Communications Security Establishment, Shelly Bruce.
DND/CAF was mentioned once during the meeting. In response to a question from CPC member Pierre Paul-Hus CSIS’ federal partners. In response, CSIS Director David Vigneault confirmed that CSIS and CANSOFCOM cooperate in operational theatres and that strict protocols and agreements in place for that work.
Report
The meeting predominantly focused on China’s role in domestic Canadian security issues such as foreign interference, trafficking of illicit opioids, Huawei and 5G. Opposition members pressed government officials to explain how they are keeping Canadians safe.
Overall the tone of the meeting was direct with moments of tension. On several occasions, Opposition questions heavily implied that the Minister and the Government were not doing enough to protect Canadians. Throughout the meeting, Conservative MPs highlighted that the Government did not meet the demands of the November 23rd motion to deliver a decision on Huawei and 5G in 30 days.
Minister Blair provided opening remarks and responded to the majority of member questions. During his remarks and responses, the Minister spoke about the evolving role of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in national and global security threats, particularly foreign interference, trafficking of illicit opioids, and cyber security. The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, noting the US’s recent announcement that it would work with Canada to secure their release. On several occasions, the Minister condemned all acts of discrimination and racism against Canadians of Chinese descent. The Minister encouraged anyone affected by such conduct or by foreign intimidation to report the case to law enforcement. With regards to Huawei and 5G, Minister Blair stated that the Government will ensure Canadian networks and interest are kept safe and secure.
CPC members’ pressed the Minister for a decision on the involvement of Huawei in Canada’s 5G networks; the government’s actions to address foreign interference conducted by the PRC against Canadians and Canadian institutions; the NSERC-Huawei partnership; and the results of investigations into foreign nationals linked to the People’s Liberation Army. CPC MPs Williamson and Stubbs asked officials about the number of people arrested under Operation FOXHUNT (Chinese covert global anti-corruption operation, which is also believed to target Chinese dissidents living abroad). MP Chong focused on Huawei and raised concerns regarding intellectual property and Huawei’s involvement discrimination and suppression of the Uighurs population in Xinjiang through advanced artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology. In their responses, government officials focused on confirming the Government’s commitment to ensuring Canadians and Canadian institutions are informed of and protected from foreign interference and cyber threats. Officials outlined several security initiatives, such as bolstering CBSA investigation and interdiction resources, RCMP and CSIS anonymous reporting processes for cases of foreign interference and intimidation, and CSE’s advisory role to help government and external partners be “cyber safe”. Many questions related to investigations were either taken on notice or could not be answered in a public forum due to security sensitivities.
LPC members asked questions on a wide range of issues, including the Minister’s December 2020 letter outlining the foreign interference risk posed by the PRC, support for Hong Kong protesters in Canada facing foreign intimidation, foreign interference in elections, fentanyl trafficking, and the Invest in Canada Act. Liberal members also applied a COVID-19 lens to their questions, asking Director of CSIS how the agency is adapting to emerging threats as a result of the pandemic, including to Canada’s vaccine supply.
BQ member MP Bergeron focused the majority questions on security of Canadian information at the VFSGlobal Visa Centre in Beijing, where a Chinese company is sub-contracted for administrative support. MP Bergeron pressed the Minister of Public Safety senior officials for details on the sub-contract and how security of information is assured by the government. NDP member MP Harris focused his questions on intellectual property, border security, and academic interference, specifically research funding at Canadian universities from the PRC.
Next steps
The Committee has yet to determine next steps for this study. The Committee is not expected to meet until Monday, March 8th due to next week being a constituency week. Parliamentary Affairs will monitor and report any information related to this study.
CACN members present at meeting
- Hon. Geoff Regan (LPC)
- Emmanuel Dubourg (LPC)
- Peter Fragiskatos (LPC)
- Robert Oliphant (LPC)
- Jean Yip (LPC)
- Lenore Zann (LPC)
- Garnett Genuis (CPC)
- Hon. Michael D. Chong (CPC)
- Pierre Paul-Hus (CPC)
- John Williamson (CPC)
- Shannon Stubbs (CPC)
- Stéphane Bergeron (BQ)
- Jack Harris (NDP)
Page details
- Date modified: