Liberal Member of Parliament Shaun Chen faced allegations of breaching House rules by participating in House of Commons votes while he was in China earlier this year, following his announcement of resignation. The claims, propagated by right-leaning influencers and some current and former Conservative MPs, pointed to video evidence on WeChat showing Chen’s presence in China at the time he allegedly voted remotely in the House of Commons.
A series of posts by independent journalist Andy Lee highlighted the discrepancy between Chen’s location and his voting activity, with one post specifically referencing Chen’s enjoyment of ice cream in China on March 25 while voting electronically in the House of Commons on the same day. Concerns were raised about potential security risks associated with accessing parliamentary systems from China.
Conservative MP John Barlow echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations into the matter. House of Commons regulations explicitly prohibit MPs from casting votes while outside of Canada, as stated in Standing Order 45 (12) (a). The rules mandate visual confirmation of a member’s identity and require MPs to log into an app utilizing facial recognition technology to validate their votes.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia affirmed the existence of stringent technical controls and validation processes to ensure MPs are physically present in Canada when voting. Chen’s office clarified that he returned to Canada on March 23 after being in China from March 14 to March 22, supported by evidence such as boarding pass and visa stamps in his passport.
Chen’s resignation, attributed to ongoing health issues stemming from a vehicle accident, has sparked further scrutiny regarding his travel capabilities. The trip to China was part of official parliamentary business with the Canada-China Legislative Association and was sponsored by the Hakka Canadian Association. Emails between Chen and House of Commons IT staff revealed cybersecurity precautions taken during his trip, which was publicly disclosed by the Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
Critics, including Lee, have questioned the rationale behind Chen’s ability to travel to China but not to Ottawa due to health concerns. The invitation from the Hakka Canadian Association detailed the itinerary of the trip, emphasizing a commitment to fostering relationships within the Hakka ethnic community in Canada.
