Overview
- Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde said they were returning early from Taiwan “informed by advice from” the government to avoid confusion with foreign policy during Mark Carney’s Beijing engagement.
- Three Conservative MPs — Adam Chambers, Shelby Kramp-Neuman and Melissa Lantsman — remained on the Taiwan trip, which is sponsored by Taiwan’s government and features meetings and cultural events.
- Carney’s office said the focus this week is on his meetings in China, with the visit framed as boosting engagement on trade, energy, agriculture and international security.
- Global Affairs Canada did not immediately provide comment on the advice given to the MPs, according to available reporting.
- Conservative foreign affairs critic Michael Chong criticized the Liberals’ early exit as appeasing Beijing, while reporting reiterated that China objects to foreign political contacts with Taiwan.