After announcing his resignation from the House of Commons, Liberal MP Shaun Chen faced online accusations of violating House rules by participating in voting while in China earlier this year. The allegations, circulating on social media and supported by various individuals, suggest that Chen cast votes electronically while videos from his China trip were shared on WeChat. The claims raised concerns about potential breaches of national security, with calls for clarification on the matter.
According to the House of Commons standing orders, Members of Parliament are prohibited from voting while outside of Canada. The rules specify that electronic votes must be cast within the country, and visual confirmation of a member’s identity is required through facial recognition technology. The Speaker’s office emphasized the presence of technical controls and validation processes to ensure MPs are physically present in Canada when voting.
Chen’s office clarified that the MP was in China from March 14 to March 22, returning to Canada on March 23 for the House of Commons session following a scheduled recess. Documentation provided by Chen’s office, including boarding pass and visa stamps in his passport, supports his travel dates and refutes claims of voting from outside Canada. The office attributed Chen’s resignation to ongoing health issues affecting his ability to travel regularly to Ottawa.
Critics, including independent journalist Andy Lee, questioned Chen’s ability to travel to China while citing health reasons for limited travel to Ottawa. The China trip, organized by the Hakka Canadian Association, involved cybersecurity evaluations due to potential risks. Details of the trip, disclosed publicly by the Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, highlighted the itinerary and sponsorship by the Hakka Canadian Association chaired by Markham Coun. Joe Li.