A private member’s bill aimed at strengthening Canada’s relationship with Taiwan was introduced in the House of Commons on June 15. The bill, known as Bill C-343, was introduced by Conservative MP Michael Cooper. Cooper emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Taiwan due to its status as Canada’s 11th largest trading partner and its manufacturing of critical high-tech products such as semiconductors.
Cooper stated that Taiwan’s high-tech products and services are complementary to Canada’s needs. He highlighted the potential for Canada to export clean and ethical energy to Taiwan and expand exports in minerals, agriculture, and agri-food products. Additionally, Cooper mentioned the opportunities for collaboration on innovation.
The geopolitical tensions involving Taiwan were acknowledged, with China increasing threats in an attempt to claim sovereignty over the island nation. Canadian MPs have shown solidarity with Taiwan in response to Beijing’s military and economic coercion, including live-fire drills and military aircraft incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
Cooper’s bill aims to pave the way for Taiwan’s involvement in international organizations and trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. He criticized Beijing’s efforts to exclude Taiwan from organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization, attributing it to bullying.
The bill includes proposals to enhance recognition of Taiwan as a de facto sovereign entity. This involves renaming the representative offices of both countries to reflect a more formal diplomatic relationship. If passed, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office would be renamed the Taiwan Representative Office, while the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei would become the Canadian Representative Office in Taiwan.
Cooper emphasized the importance of recognizing Taiwan as a vibrant island democracy with strong economic ties and shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. He also highlighted Taiwan’s assistance to Canada during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Taiwan provided critical personal protective equipment to front-line Canadian healthcare workers.