Thirteen Hong Kong-Canadian advocacy groups are demanding Prime Minister Mark Carney remove Liberal MP Paul Chiang from the federal election, saying his recent remarks appear to endorse a Chinese Communist Party bounty on a local Conservative candidate.
They argue that Chiang, a former police officer, “may have violated Canadian laws” and should face immediate consequences for his comments.
The outcry follows remarks Chiang reportedly made in January, when he suggested that anyone who handed Conservative candidate Joe Tay over to the Chinese consulate in Toronto could receive a “million-dollar reward.”
Tay is wanted by Hong Kong authorities for running a pro-democracy YouTube channel in Canada.
Carney’s Liberals have struggled to respond, particularly since Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated in December that threats, intimidation, or coercion by Hong Kong officials against Canadians would “not be tolerated.”
Carney has declined to remove Chiang, despite his public apology to Tay on social media.
“I spoke with Joe Tay to personally apologize,” wrote Chiang, calling it a “terrible lapse of judgment.”
Still, critics within the Hong Kong community do not believe Chiang’s apology.
They believe Chiang’s words showed approval of Beijing’s efforts to silence dissent abroad.
“This is not just about an offhand comment—it’s about protecting the safety of Canadians,” wrote the thirteen organizations in a joint statement.
They warn Chiang’s stance “legitimizes foreign interference” and threatens the welfare of Hong Kong immigrants who settled in Canada to escape authoritarian rule.
NDP MP Jenny Kwan also condemned the remarks, saying, “He is a police officer, and he ought to know that when the CCP offers a bounty on anyone—including Canadians—it’s unacceptable.”
Kwan, who has personally faced alleged Chinese interference, called Chiang’s position “intimidation at its worst.”
The advocacy groups statement cites a national survey in which 85.4% of Hong Konger-Canadian respondents reported concerns over transnational repression and infiltration in Canada.
More than 40% said they had cut back on public political engagement due to fears for their safety.
“The Liberal Party must send a clear message,” the statement continues.
“Canadians who fled authoritarian regimes deserve a democracy free from foreign interference.”