After announcing his resignation from the House of Commons, Liberal MP Shaun Chen faced online accusations of violating House rules by casting votes while in China earlier this year. These claims, fueled by right-wing influencers and some current and former Conservative MPs, stem from videos shared on WeChat showing Chen in China on dates corresponding to his electronic voting records in the House.
The allegations suggest that Chen voted remotely while in China, potentially breaching national security protocols. According to independent journalist Andy Lee, videos posted on March 25th from China align with Chen’s recorded votes on the same day in the House of Commons. Conservative MP John Barlow echoed concerns, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Citing House of Commons standing orders, Barlow highlighted the prohibition on MPs voting while outside Canada. Many online posts insinuated that Chen participated in voting on Bill C-9, the government’s controversial hate crime legislation, while in China. Although Lee acknowledged the possibility of post-trip video edits, he maintained the validity of questioning Chen’s voting location.
The House rules explicitly forbid MPs from voting outside the country, specifying that electronic votes must originate within Canada. The procedures require MPs to visually confirm their identities through facial recognition technology when logging votes. The Speaker’s office assured the implementation of technical controls and validation processes to ensure compliance with these rules and detect any irregularities.
Chen’s office clarified that he returned to Canada from China on March 22 and participated in the House sitting on March 23. Supporting documentation, including boarding passes and visa stamps, corroborate his travel dates and dispel claims of voting from abroad. Chen attributed his resignation to health issues impacting his ability to travel regularly to Ottawa.
The trip to China was part of official parliamentary business with the Canada-China Legislative Association, sponsored by the Hakka Canadian Association. Emails between Chen and House of Commons IT staff underscored cybersecurity precautions taken during his travel. The Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner disclosed details of the trip, emphasizing its official nature and itinerary.
