MP Apologizes for Misunderstood Labor Questions

0:00It's March 27. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Vancouver News today, your AI-powered local news. Liberal MP, Michael Ma, apologized after his questions at a House Committee hearing seemed to question reports of forced labor in China. He asked a witness if she had personally seen it in the city of Shenzhen during an auto manufacturing discussion, but media reports mistakenly linked. It's a Xinjiang province, where serious abuses against Uyghurs have been alleged. The mix of sparked quick backlash in question period and on the committee, with conservatives accusing Ma of downplaying the issue. Ma clarified as remarks were specific to Shenzhen and not Xinjiang. Issuing a statement hours later, regretting how it came across as dismissive. Ma switched from the conservatives to the Liberals in December and joined Prime Minister Mark Carney on a trip to Beijing in January. The committee is reviewing Carney's decision there to ease restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles amid claims those cars use parts from forced labor.

1:03Witness Margaret McQuig Johnston called the questioning a tactic to undermine her, noting no outsider could witness such abuses firsthand in China. Conservatives on the panel expressed outrage, one even moving to condemn China's practices while another apologized for Ma, prompting him to demand, one back. The Prime Minister's office pointed to Ma's apology on the matter, as Canada maintains its stance against Beijing's actions in Xinjiang, based on UN, and government reports. This incident highlights ongoing tensions over trade and human rights with China.