Canada summons Chinese ambassador over alleged threats to MP Michael Chong
CTV
The Liberal government is summoning China's ambassador over allegations by Canada's spy agency that a Chinese diplomat in Toronto was involved in a plot to intimidate a Conservative MP and his family.
The Liberal government is summoning China's ambassador over allegations by Canada's spy agency that a Chinese diplomat in Toronto was involved in a plot to intimidate a Conservative MP and his family.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said Thursday she asked her deputy minister to tell Chinese Ambassador Cong Peiwu that Canada will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in its affairs.
Joly confirmed media reports that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service believes a diplomat working out of China's Toronto consulate had targeted Conservative MP Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong, due to his criticism of Beijing's human-rights record.
"What has happened is completely unacceptable," Joly told the House of Commons foreign affairs committee Thursday morning, looking across the room to Chong.
"All options including expulsion of diplomats remains on the table, as we consider the consequences for this behaviour," Joly said.
The Opposition Conservatives are urging the Liberals to expel the diplomat. Joly said she will make sure all foreign envoys follow the United Nations agreement that sets out acceptable activities.
"All foreign agents in Canada must abide by the Vienna Convention. If they do not, there will be consequences," she told MPs.
