(Translation: "We're working on it.")
Dear Mr. Latimer:
Thank you for your emails regarding Canada's relationship with China and
your concerns about trade and human rights. I apologize for the delay in
replying to you.
The relationship between Canada and China is a comprehensive one that
involves engagement on a wide range of issues including trade and
investment as well as human rights. Canadian values and commercial
relations are not mutually exclusive and we are confident that we can
engage effectively in both areas.
Human rights are an important foreign policy priority for Canada in its
relationship with China. Canada interacts with China on a range of
subjects at both bilateral and multilateral levels to work toward
concrete improvements in terms of human rights. At the bilateral level,
Canadian advocacy conducted through high-level visits, official
meetings, diplomatic representations and public statements is
concentrated on systemic issues and specific cases of concern. The
Government of Canada's policy for the Canadian International Development
Agency on human rights, democratization and good governance encourages
the development of human rights on the ground by supporting China's
civil society, legal aid system, and training of prosecutors and defence
lawyers. At the multilateral level, Canada registers its human rights
concerns in the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations
Human Rights Council by way of public statements.
I understand your concerns with respect to child safety. The Government
of Canada believes that each child has the right to her or his physical
and personal integrity and protection. This is why we undertake many
activities, both nationally and internationally, to help ensure every
child can live free from violence whether at home, in school or in the
community.
Canada takes appropriate opportunities to express its concerns to the
Chinese government using bilateral and multilateral channels. During my
visit to China in October 2011 and again in February of this year, I
discussed the importance that Canada places on human rights.
Please rest assured that Canada will continue to make the pursuit of
human rights a priority in its relationship with China.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write and share your
thoughts.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Ed Fast, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of International Trade and
Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
