Liberal MP Shaun Chen’s decision to step down from his seat in the House of Commons has sparked online accusations of violating House rules by taking part in legislative votes while in China earlier this year. The claims, largely spread by right-wing influencers and some current and former Conservative MPs, center around videos shared on WeChat showing Chen in China on the same date he allegedly voted in the House of Commons.
A series of posts by independent journalist Andy Lee highlighted the discrepancy, pointing out that Chen was seen enjoying ice cream in a video from China on March 25th, the same day he supposedly electronically voted six times in the House of Commons. Concerns were raised about potential national security risks if Chen indeed voted while in China.
Conservative MP John Barlow echoed these concerns, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and calling for answers. Barlow referenced the House of Commons standing orders which explicitly prohibit MPs from voting outside of Canada. Many of the accusations revolved around Chen’s alleged participation in voting on Bill C-9, the government’s contentious hate crime legislation, while he was in China.
Although there were suggestions that the videos may have been edited and posted post-trip, raising doubts about the accuracy of the claims, the facts remain clear. The House of Commons standing orders mandate that MPs cannot vote while outside the country, with strict verification procedures in place to confirm their presence within Canada during votes.
Chen’s office clarified that he was in China from March 14 to March 22, returning to Canada for the House of Commons session on March 23. Evidence such as boarding passes and visa stamps in Chen’s passport supported his itinerary, showing his travel dates and confirming his return before any alleged voting incidents occurred. Chen’s office attributed his resignation to health issues stemming from a previous vehicle accident, limiting his ability to travel to Ottawa frequently.
Critics, including Lee, questioned Chen’s ability to travel to China while citing health concerns that impeded his Ottawa visits. The trip to China was organized by the Hakka Canadian Association, with security measures in place due to perceived cybersecurity risks. The Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner disclosed details of Chen’s trip, including its duration and purpose as outlined by the sponsoring organization.
Overall, the allegations surrounding Chen’s voting while in China have prompted scrutiny and raised questions about parliamentary procedures and MP accountability.