Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is ABC. I’m writing to express my concerns and opposition to the passage of Bill C-70 An Act respecting countering foreign interference. I request that my name and identity not be published at any time due to fear and concern of retaliation and oppression.
It has been 21 years since I immigrated to Canada from China. I received a good education in China, and when I immigrated to Canada, my transferable knowledge and experience allowed me to obtain professional designation in Canada and a decent job and lifestyle. I am grateful for Canada’s multiculturalism and inclusivity, which provide us with a free, safe, and equitable social environment. I am proud of China and Canada as my countries of origin and residence. I enjoy living in Canada and love this country, but Bill C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act, causes me deep concern because we may lose the freedoms and basic human rights under Bill C-70 if passed. This is a huge harm to Canadian democracy and a historical setback. Therefore, I oppose the passage of the Bill C-70.
When I was in primary school in China, I knew that Canada and China had always been friendly countries. Most of my time in Canada has also been peaceful and wonderful. However, in the past 4 or 5 years, with the gradual deterioration of relations between Canada and China and the impact of the pandemic, I was verbally attacked twice on the street with people yelling at me to ‘go back to your country.’ My usually friendly neighbors also said to me reproachfully, ‘The Chinese brought the virus to the whole world.’ At a time when anti-Chinese and anti-Asian sentiment is surging, the Bill C-70, which could adversely affect Chinese Canadians, is about to be passed and become law. I am deeply concerned about this.
For example, Section 20 (1) states: ‘Every person commits an offence who, at the direction of, for the benefit of, or in association with, a foreign entity or a terrorist group, induces or attempts to induce, by intimidation, threat, or violence, any person to do anything or to cause anything to be done (a) that is for the purpose of increasing the capacity of a foreign entity or a terrorist group to harm Canadian interests; or (b) that is reasonably likely to harm Canadian interests.’ Since there is no specific definition of an “foreign entity” or “harming Canadian interests,” which gives Canadian intelligence agencies more space and power to broaden their interpretations. For example, would someone promoting or taking online Chinese Tai Chi classes, or attending Spring Festival celebrations at a Chinese embassy or consulate, be considered as ‘increasing the capacity of a foreign entity,’ and are therefore included in the list and subject to investigation?
It is known that many Chinese Canadians are smart, hard-working people, but they are not interested in politics and voting. As a result, Chinese Canadians are underrepresented in Parliament. They need to be encouraged and realize that it is their responsibility and right to participate in politics. But even though Bill C-70 has not yet been passed, the already limited number of Chinese MPs have faced attacks and difficulties solely due to their mainland Chinese backgrounds, severely damaging their lives, reputations, and futures. I am concerned that if Bill C-70 is enacted, Chinese Canadians will be excluded from the political arena, deprived of their political rights, and relegated to second-class citizens.
The introduction of the Bill C-70 transplanted international political relations and ideological differences between Canada and China into Canadian domestic politics, falsely equating mainland Chinese individuals with the Chinese Communist Party and treating them as enemies. This is wrong and needs to be stopped.
The Bill C-70 will not solve any of Canada’s political or economic problems; instead, it could create conflict, worsen the political environment, and lead to chaos and potential disaster. I urge the government to consider Canada’s national interest and the human rights of all Canadians rather than pass this legislation, which could become another dark chapter in Canadian history similar to the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Thanks,
ABC