Liberal MP Shaun Chen’s announcement of his resignation from the House of Commons sparked allegations online that he had violated House rules by participating in voting on legislation while in China earlier this year. The claims, circulated by right-wing influencers and some current and former Conservative MPs, were based on videos posted on WeChat showing Chen in China. Independent journalist Andy Lee highlighted the discrepancy between the dates of Chen’s video in China and his electronic votes in the House of Commons, suggesting a potential breach of national security. Conservative MP John Barlow also raised concerns, referencing House of Commons rules that prohibit voting while outside of Canada.
It is against the House of Commons standing orders for Members of Parliament to vote while outside the country. The rules specify that electronic votes must be cast within Canada and require visual confirmation of a member’s identity through facial recognition technology. The Speaker’s office stated that strict technical controls and validation processes are in place to ensure MPs are physically present in Canada when voting.
Chen’s office clarified that he was in China from March 14 to March 22, returning to Canada for a House of Commons session on March 23. Documentation, including his boarding pass and visa stamps, corroborated his travel dates. Chen’s office emphasized that he did not vote from outside Canada due to health issues that limit his ability to travel to Ottawa regularly, leading to his decision to resign. The trip to China was part of official parliamentary business with the Canada-China Legislative Association. Critics questioned Chen’s travel capabilities, especially given sponsorship by the Hakka Canadian Association, emphasizing cybersecurity concerns during the trip.
The trip details were disclosed publicly by the Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, indicating a March 14-22 itinerary with accommodations provided. Chen’s resignation announcement cited a vehicle accident last fall as a contributing factor to his decision to step down from his position next month.
