The West Block: Nov. 13, 2022 | China interference concerns, Veterans Affairs Minister in hot seat

Amid new allegations of Chinese political interference in Canada, ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with national security expert Akshay Singh, former Canadian ambassador to China David Mulroney, and Global News investigative reporter Sam Cooper about the need for Ottawa to take action against this national security threat. Plus, Stephenson speaks with Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay about the calls for his resignation and his failed promises to meet national standards.

Shocking reports of alleged Chinese interference in Canada’s 2019 elections, first reported by Global News, have raised questions about whether Ottawa is doing enough to deal with threats from Beijing. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with national security expert Akshay Singh, former Canadian ambassador to China David Mulroney, and Global News investigative reporter Sam Cooper about the bombshell revelations and the Liberal government’s underwhelming response.

In January, Prime Minister Trudeau and select members of his cabinet allegedly received a series of stunning briefings that included allegations of everything from interference in the 2019 election, to concerns about the intimidation of Chinese-Canadian communities and coerced extraditions to China using so-called Chinese police stations on Canadian soil.

And as calls for his resignation grow, Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay says improvements are on the horizon for 2023. ‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Minister MacAulay about the long wait times for veteran disability claims to be assessed – a far cry from the national standard of 16 weeks – and the investigation into a VAC employees’ repeated offer of medically assisted death to a veteran, first reported by Global News.

#GlobalNews

[pamelaturner]

Please explain why China was allowed to have 3 police stations in Canada and who allowed this.

[appa]

As long as this doesn't affect Chinese-born Canadians who have nothing to do with this. The government is already treating us like second class citizens

[brendahutchinson]

What about The World Economic Forum interfering in the Canadian Government?

[carollever]

If we have too much money leaving the Canadian economy that affects our profit margins, enriching foreign markets instead. Many don’t pay taxes either, especially with donations for charitable write offs!

[devinfraser]

Pretty hard to combat something you admire …

[FJTx]

2 comments visible and 8 counted. Tap newest first instead of top comments, still 4 comments missing.
Full blown Cen. Sor. Ship.

[primmakinsofis]

So let's review:

China allegedly interfering in Canada: this is a government concern
China brutally occupying Tibet: not a concern
China rounding up its Uyghur minority and sending them to concentration camps: not a concern
China being, by far, the biggest emitter of CO2 in the world for 17 years in a row: not a concern

The Liberal-NDP federal government, everyone.

[mongoblazingsaddles]

Prime Minister Zoolander's fluffers are at full power!

[rachelbass]

“Back to full staff”!

Then why are there no VAC representatives on base and accessible to military members being released!?

[brockblaszczyk]

If it’s not done in spring I will personally be coming after you macAuly and holding your words to account. You’re on notice!

[YvesStOnge]

Why we Canadian have to be careful of what we say about this M....F...

[YTmadaniel]

from now on, no more donations to any political candidates or parties during election is allowed

[missf]

No one who has any ties with the ccp should be allowed to invest in any Canadian land business or assets.

[peachyland]

My father who passed away in 2001, was a veteran honorably discharged in 1945. Not until he was over 65 did he apply to veteran affairs and was deemed to have a 13% disability from his time in the air force. The VA was very helpful and provided housekeeping, prepared meals, wheel chair, money, extended medical benefits, over and above what OAS, , and GIS also taxi service to medical appointments. Obviously things sound different now days but it took 6 months to be approved, they received back pay for those 6 months it took, they also provided my mother with over $900 a month to keep my father at home and gave her that for a year after he passed away. This was positive and very appreciated by my parents. Fortunately they had only good things to say about the VA

[cherylroy]

Yup blame the other government. Imagine trying to live until next Spring with the inflation that this government has created. Veterans and seniors are all worried about their safety and life security. The veteran minister is so fortunate to have such a government position and no worries for his future. After my own Dad who fought in WW11 was denied the right to Veteran Home Assistance after a severe illness saw him hospitalized at the age of 89 because of the political red tape. My Dad spent his entire life visiting and raising funding for Veteran’s already living in these residences and making sure that they were being treated properly. Unfortunately, at a time when he desperately needed this assistance he was denied. My Dad passed away in a hospital bed from an infection that most likely would not have happened if he had received the proper Veteran assisted care he so deserved. Since his passing, I have refused to wear a poppy on Remembrance Day. Not to dishonour these brave veterans that sacrificed their lives, but so as to accentuate the hypocrisy within the government’s Veteran Affairs Ministry and the distribution of funding collected by the selling of poppies and other fund raising activities. The offering of the MAIDS program to veterans should not be surprising as we have seen how merciless our government continues to be in treating seniors.

[royhockey]

I have voted Liberal for years but am fed up with their do nothing approach to this serious, hostile interference in our democracy.

[cancerman]

🇨🇦 Sure glad the Americans would never do this.
Would have been nice to hear from the minister how the investigation to find the hacker that released the personal information of convoy donators is going.

[AihuaWestwood]

Wow ! Canada is the most important country in the world!

[babsharris]

JT did not fund staff to carry out the Security programs so, yes we are in danger.

[Osprey-ol]

How many days until the next election?