Foreign Interference and the Fall of Paul Chiang

MP Paul Chiang resigned after joking about extraditing a critic to China. His fall exposes Canada's growing crisis of foreign interference and political denial.

When a Joke Isn’t a Joke

Foreign Interference in Canada by AI

Paul Chiang, the Liberal MP for Markham–Unionville, made a remark that largely ended his political career. During a press event earlier this year, he referenced the Hong Kong Police’s HKD $1 million bounty (approximately CAD $184,000) on Conservative candidate Joe Tay and suggested that someone in the audience could claim the reward by bringing Tay to the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto.

A Canadian politician openly joked about handing over a fellow citizen, his political rival, to a foreign government known for its human rights abuses.

And yet, after his comments were made public, Chiang simply apologized. The Liberal Party and Mark Carney stood by him. He recently resigned due to increasing pressure and a potential RCMP investigation.

This isn’t just about a crass remark. It’s about the deeper issue of foreign interference in Canada’s democracy and the shocking complacency surrounding it.

What Happens When Canada Fails to Protect Its Citizens?

Joe Tay is not a criminal. His supposed "crime" in the eyes of Beijing is pro-democracy activism and running a YouTube channel critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). That alone was enough for the Hong Kong Police to place him on a wanted list under the sweeping and draconian National Security Law imposed by China in 2020.

Canada does not have an extradition treaty with China, and for good reason. The Chinese legal system is notorious for arbitrary detentions, forced confessions, and politically motivated prosecutions. If Tay were to be captured and sent to Hong Kong, he could face an unfair trial, indefinite detention, or even worse.

Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in 2020 precisely because of this concern. The erosion of Hong Kong’s judicial independence and the failures of the "One Country, Two Systems" framework mean that activists like Tay, who speak out for democracy, are no longer safe.

For a sitting MP to joke about turning over a Canadian citizen to a foreign regime with a history of repression is not only reckless but also a betrayal of Canada’s core democratic values.

Foreign Interference: A Crisis Canada Keeps Ignoring

Paul Chiang’s comments cannot be dismissed as a moment of poor judgment. They point to a broader issue: Foreign interference is alive and well in Canada.

A recent report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) confirmed that some MPs have been “witting or semi-witting” participants in foreign interference operations. The report alleges that politicians have accepted money, gifts, or favours from foreign governments and, in return, influenced policy discussions or even undermined their colleagues.

China is not the only country engaging in these activities, but it is by far the most aggressive. From clandestine "police stations" operating in Canada to intimidation campaigns targeting Chinese-Canadian activists, the CCP has consistently sought to extend its influence beyond its borders.

Yet, instead of treating this as a national security emergency, Canadian political parties continue to downplay the threat, especially when it implicates their members.

Liberal Hypocrisy on National Security

The response from the Liberal Party has been disturbingly weak. After his remarks became public, Chiang issued an apology, calling his comments "deplorable." But the apology came only after he was caught, months after the event itself. If he truly regretted what he had said, why didn’t he speak out earlier?

The Liberals have attacked Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre over his refusal to obtain a security clearance, arguing that national security should be a top priority. Yet, they officially stood by a candidate who made comments that align with Beijing’s interests. How can they claim to take foreign interference seriously?

Jenny Kwan, the NDP MP who has been personally targeted by the CCP, put it best: "In what universe is this normal?"

What Comes Next?

It is good that Paul Chiang resigned. There is no scenario where a sitting MP should make light of, let alone encourage, the extradition of a fellow Canadian to an authoritarian regime. His remarks were not just an embarrassment; they were a disgrace to Canada’s democratic values.

But this issue is bigger than one politician. Canada needs to take foreign interference seriously, no matter which party is implicated. That means stronger legislation, more transparency, and a willingness to hold politicians accountable.

If Canadian democracy means anything, voters in Markham–Unionville should make sure that someone similar to Paul Chiang is not elected. The message needs to be clear: if you support foreign interference, you do not belong in Canadian politics.

What You Can Do

This issue isn’t going away, and it won’t be solved unless Canadians demand change. Talk to your MP. Ask them what they are doing to combat foreign interference. Hold all parties accountable, Conservative, Liberal, NDP, or otherwise, because this is not a partisan issue.

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