MP Michael Ma, who switched from the Conservatives to the Liberals, has expressed regret after seemingly questioning reports of human rights violations in China.
Ma stated that he was sorry for his mistake and clarified that he was talking about the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, not Xinjiang, where the Communist government faces allegations of widespread abuses.
The confusion regarding Ma’s comments lasted several hours, overshadowing the rest of the parliamentary committee meeting where he spoke and spilling over into question period as well as following him around Parliament Hill.
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During Thursday’s hearing, he asked an expert if she had ever seen forced labor with her own eyes.
“Have you witnessed forced labour in Shenzhen? Have you witnessed forced labour? Just a short answer – have you witnessed forced labour in Shenzhen, yes or no?” Ma questioned Margaret Mc Cuaig-Johnston, a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa.
“So did you get that from hearsay?” he added.
The media incorrectly reported Ma’s comments as referencing Xinjiang, which was a significant focus during the hearing.
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3:53 ‘I don’t trust what the Chinese put in these cars’: Doug Ford unhappy about Canada-China EV deal
The misunderstanding carried into question period when Conservative Michael Chong claimed that Ma suggested there was “no Uyghur forced labour,” referring to the Muslim ethnic group in Xinjiang.
In response, MP Yasir Naqvi didn’t mention Uyghurs, Xinjiang, Shenzhen or China but stated that the government views forced labor as “unacceptable.”
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Ma was seen avoiding reporters and did not respond to questions regarding his stance on this issue.
![Click to play video: 'Business Matters: China suspends some agricultural tariffs on Canada']()
2:20 Business Matters: China suspends some agricultural tariffs on Canada
The House industry committee is looking into a decision made by Carney during that trip related to relaxing Canadian restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles and allowing some of those vehicles for sale here.
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Eventend Since then, Ma demanded an apology from one MP who had apologized on his behalf. He insisted he’d asked “very legitimate questions” without revealing any personal opinions. “ I had made no assertion of either support or deny it – I just asked whether she had witnessed it,” said Ma. Conservative MP Michael Guglielmin moved a motion at committee aimed at condemning forced labor practices within China. “It’s just unclear if MP Ma’s remarks are at odds with both Liberal party beliefs and government stance or if he’s easing into supporting Prime Minister’s new perspective towards China’s Communist Party and their lenient take on enslavement,” Guglielmin noted. When queried whether Ottawa still holds doubts regarding slave labor claims from Beijing concerning Xinjiang territory , The Prime Minister’s Office pointed inquiries toward Ma’s statement.The gathering became mostly focused on discussing issues surrounding questions raised by Ma rather than addressing witness testimonies which caused discontent among MPs from all parties involved.
Mc Cuaig-Johnston remarked after Thursday’s meeting that she found herself surprised by how Ma approached his line of questioning but appreciates that more attention is being brought up about it. “I looked around the committee as if to say,’Is he kidding?’ Because no westerner can go to China and see forced labor. They would never let you anywhere close to that,” she explained. She feels like Ma seemed intent on undermining her credibility but thinks he failed. After wrapping up their discussion at committee level she extended her Human Rights Watch report concerning forceful labor towards him only for him responding with “I don’t believe in reports; I only believe things I can see with my own eyes,” suggesting they could potentially take a trip together through china aiming towards witnessing supposed incidents occurring within Xinjiang. Ma didn’t comment upon Mc Cuaig-Johnston recounting their conversation when asked by The Canadian Press. It should be noted however Mc Cuaig-Johnston also mentioned having been sanctioned by china thus unable traveling there due recent circumstances surrounding her position. The United Nations stated back last year reporting evidence indicating serious human rights infringements taking place specifically against Uyghurs alongside other Muslim minorities within area identified previously making note they may amount pertaining international crime particularly crimes indicative humanity itself. Additionally according Global Affairs Canada’s findings issued same year conclude alleging abuse deriving context designated laws through purported programs aimed towards betterment employment utilizing them instead serve wider agenda suppression via manipulation indoctrinating Muslims identity conversion addressing Han majority cultural assimilation. Beijing refutes such accusations adamantly arguing self-preservation against terrorism threats exist while providing economic assistance minority groups efforts moving forward. Canada remains consistently rejecting aforementioned narrative presented forth currently existing concerns over mass arbitrary detentions reported impacting individuals belonging Turkic descent throughout region noted extensively under scrutiny previous months’ timeframe encompassing multiple instances including happenings creating media frenzied discussions surrounding recent events involving pertinent officials including references presented during visitations led Carney himself addressing Xi Jinping directly touching bases respective matters highlighted earlier. Just recently Monday morning announcement declared public servants submitted erroneous documentation highlighting failure recognize advocacy push addressing critical nature involving human rights conversations held ensuing dialogue reaching out along avenues pursued representing various perspectives engaged amid ongoing political atmosphere prevailing surroundings leading folks wondering very briefly whether clarity received ultimately shifts regarding current understanding relating issues standing alongside parties representing opposition views observed frequently among them because standard deviations manifested exposed platforms sustained noticeably contrasting sentiments coming into play dramatically altering perceptions shared publicly speaking volumes loud enough resonate beyond party lines routinely blurring distinctions existed prior causing many speculate prospective implications down road ahead..
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3:53 ‘I don’t trust what the Chinese put in these cars’: Doug Ford unhappy about Canada-China EV deal
The misunderstanding carried into question period when Conservative Michael Chong claimed that Ma suggested there was “no Uyghur forced labour,” referring to the Muslim ethnic group in Xinjiang.
In response, MP Yasir Naqvi didn’t mention Uyghurs, Xinjiang, Shenzhen or China but stated that the government views forced labor as “unacceptable.”
Story continues below
Ma was seen avoiding reporters and did not respond to questions regarding his stance on this issue.
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Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you’ll never miss the day’s top stories. In his apology issued several hours after his initial comments, Ma said he “inadvertently came across as dismissive of the serious issue of forced labour.” <p“To be clear, my line of questioning referred to auto manufacturing in Shenzhen, China, and not in Xinjiang,” said Ma in his statement. <p“I regret this mistake and apologize to Ms. Mc Cuaig-Johnston and my fellow committee members.” He mentioned condemning forced labor “in all its forms.” This past December, Ma joined Prime Minister Mark Carney’s caucus after leaving the Conservatives and traveled officially to Beijing in January.
2:20 Business Matters: China suspends some agricultural tariffs on Canada
The House industry committee is looking into a decision made by Carney during that trip related to relaxing Canadian restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles and allowing some of those vehicles for sale here.
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Eventend Since then, Ma demanded an apology from one MP who had apologized on his behalf. He insisted he’d asked “very legitimate questions” without revealing any personal opinions. “ I had made no assertion of either support or deny it – I just asked whether she had witnessed it,” said Ma. Conservative MP Michael Guglielmin moved a motion at committee aimed at condemning forced labor practices within China. “It’s just unclear if MP Ma’s remarks are at odds with both Liberal party beliefs and government stance or if he’s easing into supporting Prime Minister’s new perspective towards China’s Communist Party and their lenient take on enslavement,” Guglielmin noted. When queried whether Ottawa still holds doubts regarding slave labor claims from Beijing concerning Xinjiang territory , The Prime Minister’s Office pointed inquiries toward Ma’s statement.The gathering became mostly focused on discussing issues surrounding questions raised by Ma rather than addressing witness testimonies which caused discontent among MPs from all parties involved.Mc Cuaig-Johnston remarked after Thursday’s meeting that she found herself surprised by how Ma approached his line of questioning but appreciates that more attention is being brought up about it. “I looked around the committee as if to say,’Is he kidding?’ Because no westerner can go to China and see forced labor. They would never let you anywhere close to that,” she explained. She feels like Ma seemed intent on undermining her credibility but thinks he failed. After wrapping up their discussion at committee level she extended her Human Rights Watch report concerning forceful labor towards him only for him responding with “I don’t believe in reports; I only believe things I can see with my own eyes,” suggesting they could potentially take a trip together through china aiming towards witnessing supposed incidents occurring within Xinjiang. Ma didn’t comment upon Mc Cuaig-Johnston recounting their conversation when asked by The Canadian Press. It should be noted however Mc Cuaig-Johnston also mentioned having been sanctioned by china thus unable traveling there due recent circumstances surrounding her position. The United Nations stated back last year reporting evidence indicating serious human rights infringements taking place specifically against Uyghurs alongside other Muslim minorities within area identified previously making note they may amount pertaining international crime particularly crimes indicative humanity itself. Additionally according Global Affairs Canada’s findings issued same year conclude alleging abuse deriving context designated laws through purported programs aimed towards betterment employment utilizing them instead serve wider agenda suppression via manipulation indoctrinating Muslims identity conversion addressing Han majority cultural assimilation. Beijing refutes such accusations adamantly arguing self-preservation against terrorism threats exist while providing economic assistance minority groups efforts moving forward. Canada remains consistently rejecting aforementioned narrative presented forth currently existing concerns over mass arbitrary detentions reported impacting individuals belonging Turkic descent throughout region noted extensively under scrutiny previous months’ timeframe encompassing multiple instances including happenings creating media frenzied discussions surrounding recent events involving pertinent officials including references presented during visitations led Carney himself addressing Xi Jinping directly touching bases respective matters highlighted earlier. Just recently Monday morning announcement declared public servants submitted erroneous documentation highlighting failure recognize advocacy push addressing critical nature involving human rights conversations held ensuing dialogue reaching out along avenues pursued representing various perspectives engaged amid ongoing political atmosphere prevailing surroundings leading folks wondering very briefly whether clarity received ultimately shifts regarding current understanding relating issues standing alongside parties representing opposition views observed frequently among them because standard deviations manifested exposed platforms sustained noticeably contrasting sentiments coming into play dramatically altering perceptions shared publicly speaking volumes loud enough resonate beyond party lines routinely blurring distinctions existed prior causing many speculate prospective implications down road ahead..
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