Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Shaun Chen faced accusations of violating House rules after announcing his resignation from the House of Commons. Allegations surfaced online, primarily amplified by right-wing influencers and some Conservative MPs, suggesting that Chen had voted on legislation while he was in China earlier in the year. The claims were based on videos shared on WeChat, a popular Chinese social media platform, showing Chen in China on the same day he allegedly voted electronically in the House of Commons.
Various posts on social media pointed out the discrepancy between Chen’s presence in China and his voting activity in Canada. Concerns were raised about potential national security breaches if Chen had voted remotely from China. Conservative MP John Barlow highlighted the issue, emphasizing the need for clarification on the matter.
According to House of Commons standing orders, MPs are prohibited from participating in votes when they are outside the country. The rules dictate that electronic votes must be cast within Canada, with identity verification protocols in place, including facial recognition technology.
In response to the accusations, Chen’s office clarified that he had returned to Canada before the parliamentary session following his trip to China. Documentation, including boarding passes and visa stamps in Chen’s passport, supported his presence in China during the stated period. His office stated that due to health issues, Chen traveled to China for official parliamentary business, his first trip to the country since May 2019.
The trip to China was organized by the Hakka Canadian Association, and emails between Chen and House of Commons IT staff confirmed security measures taken during his travel. The Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner disclosed details of the trip, which was from March 14 to 22, inclusive of accommodations provided by the organizing association.
Chen’s resignation announcement cited health concerns stemming from a previous vehicle accident, indicating his decision to step down from his position in the upcoming month. Critics questioned Chen’s ability to travel to China but not to Ottawa, prompting further scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his resignation.
