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e-2590 (Foreign affairs)

E-petition
Initiated by Alex Lee from Mississauga, Ontario

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • On 22 April 2020, Taiwan announced a donation of 500,000 medical masks to Canada to be distributed to frontline healthcare workers and First Nations peoples; and
  • The donation was announced only days after Canadian planes sent to China to obtain medical supplies returned empty.
We, the undersigned, The Citizens and Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to:
1- Publicly thank the Taiwanese government for their gift of medical masks to Canadian healthcare workers and First Nation communities;
2- Publicly congratulate the Taiwanese people on having successfully contained the COVID-19 crisis;
3- Publicly endorse Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Health Assembly, among other intergovernmental organizations , including by co-signing a letter to the WHO Director-General, drafted by Japan and the United States and signed by other like-minded nations, to invite the Taiwanese delegation to the World Health Assembly
4- Encourage stronger bilateral relations between Canada and Taiwan, including cabinet-level communication and travel; and
5- Invite Taiwan's health minister Chen Shih-chung to address a parliamentary committee to discuss Taiwan’s successes at combating the COVID-19 pandemic and share learnings with Canadian authorities.

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Rob Oliphant

Canada officially expressed its appreciation both publicly and privately. On April 28, 2020, Executive Director Jordan Reeves of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei conveyed a public expression of gratitude in response to Taiwan’s donation of 500,000 masks to Canada.

The Government of Canada welcomes the participation from the entire international community to work together to promote global health. The contributions from the people of Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic has been greatly appreciated by Canada. Together, we will overcome the pandemic.

Canada has consistently supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations where there is a practical imperative and where Taiwan’s absence would be detrimental to global interests. This includes supporting Taiwan’s role as an observer in the World Health Assembly.

As Canada's 13th largest trading partner, Taiwan has served as a critical regional hub for global supply chains as well as an important link to Asia for many Canadian businesses and industries. Canada and Taiwan continue to promote growing economic, people-to-people and cultural ties based on shared values, robust business-to-business ties, and significant science, technology and innovation collaboration. Canadian officials engage with appropriate Taiwan contacts to advance Canada’s substantive interests. The Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade has promoted Canada’s commercial interest in discussions with her Taiwan counterpart.

Canada and Taiwan continue to engage in health-related discussions related to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, including during the latest Canada-Taiwan Economic Consultations, where both sides discussed health cooperation and trade in personal protective equipment, among other issues. Canada looks forward to further engaging Taiwan in areas of mutual interest relating to global public health in the future.

Open for signature
May 13, 2020, at 4:40 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
August 11, 2020, at 4:40 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Judy A. Sgro (Humber River—Black Creek)
April 16, 2021 (Petition No. 432-00815)
Government response tabled
May 31, 2021
Photo - Judy A. Sgro
Humber River—Black Creek
Liberal Caucus
Ontario