Canadian MP Calls for Huawei 5G Ban

Simon Lester -

During a December 2 session of the Canadian House of Commons, Conservative MP Ed Fast pressed François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of of Innovation, Science and Industry in the Trudeau government, on whether a ban on Huawei in Canadian 5G networks would be forthcoming. A decision on this issue has been rumored for a while. The full exchange was a follows:

Hon. Ed Fast (Abbotsford, CPC):    

Mr Speaker, Canada’s most trusted partners, the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, have all banned Huawei equipment from their 5G networks because of espionage and national security concerns, yet there is one country that stands alone in not having said no to Huawei. It is Canada. For years the Prime Minister has promised a decision regarding Huawei, but as usual, he has failed to deliver. Why does he not take this seriously, and when will he finally say no to Huawei?

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Lib.):    

Mr. Speaker, I would like to first congratulate the member for his appointment as the official critic to industry. There is a very important decision to be made for this country. There is no more important decision than when it comes to securing our network, not just for this generation but for future generations. When it comes to security, Canadians at home know that we will make no compromise. National security comes first. We will ensure that we make the very best decision, not only for this generation, but for future generations of Canadians.

Hon. Ed Fast (Abbotsford, CPC):    

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the minister's kind words, but he needs to pay attention to this file. It is time he banned Huawei. All of our allies have banned Huawei, yet Canada stands all alone in waffling on the issue. For over two years, the government has promised a decision, which is going to come in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, our telecoms have spent billions of dollars on Huawei equipment. When will the minister finally grow a spine and say no way to Huawei?

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne (Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Lib.):    

Mr. Speaker, I think I was very kind to the member, and I am very surprised by his words, but this is politics. Canadians at home know that on this side of the House we take national security very seriously. We will take the best decision for this generation and future generations when it comes to protecting our network.