Liberal Member of Parliament Shaun Chen announced his resignation from the House of Commons amid allegations of voting on legislation while in China. The accusations, circulated by conservative figures and some current and former Conservative MPs, were based on videos posted on WeChat showing Chen in China. Independent journalist Andy Lee highlighted the issue, pointing out the date discrepancy between Chen’s presence in China and his electronic voting records in the House of Commons.
Conservative MP John Barlow raised concerns about Chen’s actions, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Barlow referenced the House of Commons standing orders that explicitly prohibit MPs from voting while outside Canada. The controversy centered around Chen’s alleged voting on Bill C-9, a contentious hate crime legislation, while he was in China.
While some speculated that the videos might have been edited and posted after Chen’s trip, the rules are clear that MPs must be physically present in Canada to cast their votes electronically. The Speaker’s office confirmed that stringent security measures, including facial recognition technology, are in place to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Chen’s office clarified that he returned to Canada on March 23 following his trip to China from March 14 to March 22. Supporting evidence, such as his boarding pass and visa stamps, corroborated his travel dates. Chen’s office attributed his absence from Ottawa to health issues resulting from a previous vehicle accident.
Critics, including Lee, questioned the inconsistency of Chen’s ability to travel to China but not to Ottawa. The trip to China was organized by the Hakka Canadian Association for parliamentary purposes, with precautions taken to address cybersecurity risks. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner also disclosed details of the trip on their website.
Chen’s resignation is scheduled for the following month, emphasizing his health challenges as a factor in his decision. The controversy surrounding his voting while in China has sparked debates about parliamentary integrity and the responsibilities of elected officials.