Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced Canada decided to pause its involvement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), led by China, as it investigates claims the Chinese Communist Party has too much control over it..Freeland stated the investigation would consider all possible outcomes, indicating Ottawa might consider withdrawing from the AIIB. Canada officially joined in March 2018..On Wednesday, Canadian Bob Pickard, the global communications director of AIIB, announced his resignation..Pickard criticized the bank for being “dominated by Communist Party members and also has one of the most toxic cultures imaginable. I don’t believe that my country’s interests are served by its AIIB membership.”.However, the AIIB dismissed Pickard’s allegations as unfounded and without merit..“The Government of Canada will immediately halt all government-led activity at the bank,” Freeland told reporters. “And I have instructed the department of Finance to lead an immediate review of the allegations raised and of Canada's involvement in the AIIB.”.“The review I am announcing today is to be undertaken expeditiously. And I am not ruling out any outcome following its completion,” said Freeland..Canada became a member of the AIIB when Justin Trudeau was prime minister. .The Conservatives consistently called for Canada to withdraw from the AIIB, claiming it serves as a means for Beijing to spread authoritarianism across the Pacific region..Freeland's comments represent a recent decline in the relationship between Canada and China due to Chinese interference in Canadian politics and the operation of illegal police stations on Canadian soil..READ MORE More than 100 RCMP investigations launched into foreign political interference.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced Tuesday it is investigating allegations of China attempting to intimidate Conservative MP Michael Chong (Don Valley North, ON) and his family. .READ MORE RCMP investigating China intimidating MP Chong and family.Beijing denies all allegations.
