MPP's ties to China raise questions about how close Canadian politicians should get to foreign powers
'If you are going to be a Canadian, I think you should be fully loyal to Canada, and not have any residual loyalties to another place'
Progressive Conservative MPP Vincent Ke speaking at an event at the Chinese consulate general in Toronto. PHOTO BY HANDOUT
In July 2013, several dozen ethnic Chinese people hand-picked from various countries visited China for a government-run workshop — eight days of lectures and speeches from an array of officials.
The program would strive to help them “realize the Chinese dream and the common struggle,” a vice-chair of the state’s Overseas Chinese Affairs Office told the group.
DISTROSCALE
Among the participants was Vincent Ke, a community leader in Toronto chosen by the local consulate to take part in the event.
The invitation made sense, given Ke has often appeared at public events with consulate officials and, according to a documentary made with his co-operation, was a student “cadre” — a minor official typically viewed as “politically reliable” — in China and helped organize a Chinese students association in Germany.
Five years later, Ke would achieve a political milestone in Canada, becoming the first immigrant from mainland China to be elected as a Progressive Conservative member of the Ontario legislature.
As a proud Chinese-Canadian I am honoured to be a part of Doug Ford’s government to make life more affordable for all Ontarians and their families,” Ke said. “I am focused on ensuring a strong voice for the constituents of Don Valley North at Queen’s Park and I look forward to working alongside my caucus colleagues to bring positive change to the province.”
The premier’s office also voiced confidence in the backbencher.
“MPP Ke is an important part of the Progressive Conservative caucus and represents his constituents with their best interests in mind,” said Ivana Yelich, Ford’s press secretary.
The rookie member seems to be a good provider for the party, too. Ford appeared at a Ke fundraiser in July where the crowd included some prominent, pro-China community leaders who attended recent rallies in opposition to Hong Kong protesters, and are visible in event photos.
A Ke assistant said on the WeChat messaging app that “people from Ford’s office were very happy,” calling it the party’s most lucrative fundraiser other than the premier’s own. She indicated that 430 people attended, paying at least $450 each according to an invitation. That suggests a gross take of $193,000, huge for a provincial politician.
Ford is not the first premier to dismiss a legislator’s China connections as irrelevant. In 2015, then Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne said her government considered “baseless” a suggestion from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) that cabinet minister Michael Chan might be under Chinese-government influence. Chan later sued the Globe and Mail over a report that said he was under CSIS investigation.
Ke’s role aside, China’s attempts to influence Chinese immigrants and the political system in Canada have drawn increasing attention recently.
Comments