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, propagated by right-wing influencers and a few current and former Conservative MPs, stem from videos shared on WeChat showing Chen’s visit to China.
One post by independent journalist Andy Lee highlighted a video of Chen enjoying ice cream in China on March 25th, the same day he reportedly voted electronically six times in the House of Commons. Concerns were raised about potential breaches of national security if Chen voted remotely from China. Conservative MP John Barlow echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for answers beyond Chen’s travel to China.
It was pointed out that Members of Parliament are prohibited from voting while outside Canada, as per the House of Commons standing orders. These rules dictate that electronic votes must originate within the country, with visual confirmation of the member’s identity using facial recognition technology.
In response, the Speaker’s office emphasized the presence of technical controls and validation processes to ensure MPs are physically present in Canada during voting. Chen’s office clarified that he returned to Canada on March 22, the day before the House of Commons sitting, following his trip to China from March 14 to 22.
Chen’s office provided evidence of his travel itinerary and visa stamps in his passport, confirming his presence in China during the specified period. They stated that Chen did not vote from outside Canada, citing health reasons as the primary factor affecting his travel schedule.
The trip to China was part of official parliamentary business with the Canada-China Legislative Association, organized by the Hakka Canadian Association. Chen’s interactions with House of Commons IT staff regarding cybersecurity risks during his trip were also disclosed.
Critics questioned Chen’s ability to travel to China while citing health issues preventing frequent travel to Ottawa. The trip details were publicly disclosed by the Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, outlining the itinerary and accommodations arranged by the Hakka Canadian Association.
Chen plans to resign from his post due to ongoing health concerns following a vehicle accident last fall. The allegations regarding his voting conduct while in China have sparked scrutiny and speculation within political circles.