After announcing his resignation from the House of Commons, Liberal MP Shaun Chen faced accusations of violating House rules by participating in votes while in China earlier this year. These claims, primarily circulated by right-wing influencers and some current and former Conservative MPs, stem from videos shared on WeChat showing Chen in China on the same day he allegedly voted in the House of Commons.
According to independent journalist Andy Lee and other online sources, Chen was seen enjoying ice cream in a video posted on March 25th while voting electronically six times in the House of Commons. The allegations suggest a potential breach of national security, questioning how Chen accessed secure parliamentary systems while in China.
Conservative MP John Barlow echoed concerns over Chen’s travel, suggesting deeper inquiries were necessary. Referring to House of Commons standing orders, Barlow highlighted the prohibition on MPs voting while outside Canada. Multiple posts claimed Chen voted on Bill C-9, the government’s hate crime legislation, on March 25 from China.
Despite claims that the WeChat videos might have been edited or posted after the trip, the facts remain clear. Members of Parliament are not allowed to participate in House votes from outside the country. The House of Commons standing orders specify that electronic votes can only be cast within Canada, with requirements for visual confirmation of the member’s identity through facial recognition technology.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia emphasized the existence of technical controls and human validation processes to ensure MPs are physically present in Canada when voting. Chen’s office confirmed his travel dates to China and provided evidence, including a copy of his boarding pass and visa stamps in his passport, to refute claims of voting from outside Canada.
Chen’s office clarified that his resignation was due to significant health issues affecting his ability to travel to Ottawa regularly, following a vehicle accident last fall. The trip to China, organized by the Hakka Canadian Association for parliamentary business, was scrutinized for cybersecurity risks and publicly disclosed by the Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.
Critics, including Lee, questioned Chen’s ability to travel to China while citing health concerns preventing frequent trips to Ottawa. The Hakka Canadian Association, chaired by Markham Coun. Joe Li, sponsored Chen’s trip to promote relationships within the Hakka ethnic community in Canada.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Chen’s alleged voting from China highlights the importance of upholding parliamentary rules and transparency in parliamentary activities.
