Canada's political storm over China's forced labour claims in EV supply chains
A political dispute has erupted in Canada over claims of forced labour in China's electric vehicle supply chain. Liberal MP Michael Ma faced backlash after questioning an expert's testimony on the issue, prompting an apology. Meanwhile, Conservatives are pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney to take a clear stance on the allegations.
The controversy began when Ma challenged an expert's evidence about forced labour during a committee hearing. He later clarified that his question referred to Shenzhen, not Xinjiang—the region where widespread abuses against Uyghurs have been reported. Despite this, he issued a public apology for any misunderstanding.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has since demanded Carney directly address whether he believes forced labour exists in China. Earlier, Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong had also urged the prime minister to clarify Canada's position on the matter. China has strongly denied the accusations. The Chinese Embassy in Canada dismissed claims of forced labour in EV production as a 'blatant lie'. So far, no official statements from the Canadian government on the allegations have been released.
The debate highlights growing pressure on Ottawa to respond to forced labour concerns in Chinese supply chains. With Conservatives pushing for answers, the government's silence leaves key questions unaddressed. China continues to reject all allegations of labour abuses in its industries.
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