Image Credit: The Associated Press

By Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Huawei needs to be banned from our 5G networks

Nov 18, 2020 | 1:30 PM

IT WAS BACK IN JANUARY OF 2019 that I last referenced the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei.

In that weekly report I mentioned that this technology company, aside from wireless devices, also produces hardware such as servers and other technologies that enable 5G wireless networks.

5G networks empower autonomous vehicles and other automated machinery to operate and is widely considered to be essential for the emerging new digital economy.

The reason why Huawei is frequently referenced is because many of Canada’s allies including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan have all banned Huawei 5G technology citing security concerns.

The Conservative Opposition believes that Canada, as a member of the “Five Eyes” intelligence network, should stand with our allies in banning Huawei from participating in our 5G rollout in Canada.

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After my January 2019 report, the former Liberal Public Safety Minister, Ralph Goodale, stated his Liberal government would make a decision on Huawei before the 2019 federal election.

That was May 1st 2019.

Then on July 30th 2019, the Trudeau Liberal Government broke that promise and said the decision would not be made until after the 2019 election.

Fast forward to present day and it’s been over a year since the federal election and still Canadians cannot get a clear answer from this Liberal Government on whether they stand with our 5G allies or not, when it comes Huawei.

This week the Conservative Opposition in the House of Commons tabled the following motion:

“That, given that (i) the People’s Republic of China, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, is threatening Canada’s national interest and our values, including Canadians of Chinese origin within Canada’s borders, (ii) it is essential that Canada have a strong and principled foreign policy backed by action in concert with its allies, the House call upon the government to: (a) make a decision on Huawei’s involvement in Canada’s 5G network within 30 days of the adoption of this motion; and (b) develop a robust plan, as Australia has done, to combat China’s growing foreign operations here in Canada and its increasing intimidation of Canadians living in Canada, and table it within 30 days of the adoption of this motion.”

Although the vote has not yet occurred in the House of Commons at the time of my writing, early indications are that this motion will also be supported by the NDP and Bloc Québécois.

My question this week: How would you vote on the Conservative opposition day motion?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.