The House of Commons voted unanimously to endorse Taiwan’s bid for membership in the World Health Organization (WHO), according to Blacklock’s Reporter. .“Taiwan deserves a seat at the table,” Conservative MP Michael Barrett told the House of Commons. .“It should be allowed to participate on the world stage.”.The House of Commons passed a motion sponsored by Barrett concurring with a recommendation of the health committee to lift a China ban on Taiwanese participation in the WHO. .Conservative MP Garnett Genuis said Canada should honour Taiwan because it had few COVID-19 deaths per capita. .“Taiwan has been so successful in its response to Covid it could contribute and share its insights,” said Genuis. .John Hopkins University data showed Taiwan had 47 per 100,000 population COVID-19 deaths. This contrasts to to higher death rates in Canada (119 per 100,000 population), Sweden (200), Italy (293), the United Kingdom (306), United States (322), Hungary (492) and Peru (657)..Bloc Quebecois MP Jean-Denis Garon said this data shows “just how important it is to speak about the experiences of different public health authorities so we can improve our response to the pandemic.”.“That is why it is important for Taiwan to be a member of the World Health Organization,” said Garon. .“China is exploiting public health risks for political gain.” .Canada suspended official diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1971. Fourteen jurisdictions recognize Taiwan as an independent country, including Belize, Haiti, Honduras, Paraguay, the Marshall Islands, and the Vatican..Canadian ministries have exercised caution in recognizing Taiwan. The Department of Agriculture as late as 2012 published a market access report referring to the island as Chinese Taipei, a designation favoured by the Chinese Communist Party..Conservative MP Scott Aitchison said in June he would axe the One China Policy in Canada and recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state if he became leader. .READ MORE: Aitchison says he'd axe the One China Policy in Canada.“Taiwan is an independent and sovereign country, a beacon of openness, democracy, respect for human rights, and a case study in the benefits of a market-based economy open to trading with the world,” said Aitchison..“It is time for Canada to finally recognize this reality.”
