Should Canada proceed with a possible diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics? This is the thorny question that several politicians were confronted with on Wednesday morning in Ottawa.
Former Olympian Adam van Koeverden, now Liberal MP for Milton, Ont., Recalled that this kind of discussion about China is not new.
“We’ve been talking about it for 13 or 14 years – I was the Canadian flag bearer at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 – whether putting China at the forefront would bring about positive changes. Back then, and still today, I believe that is the case. We have this discussion, because the next Olympics are in China, and also because of the genocide (of the Uyghurs) which is a reality. The Olympics always highlight the issues, everywhere on the planet, ”said the ex-kayaker.
“Highlighting the issues in China is only the first step in a process, in my opinion. As for the diplomatic boycott, we’ll leave that to diplomats and our leadership. I insist, however, that athletes should not become tools of international diplomacy. There are many other ways to make your point heard, ”continued the Olympic gold medalist, adding that he does not see Canadian athletes as being used in a diplomatic capacity.
For her part, the Minister of Sports, Pascale St-Onge, was rather evasive.
The United States is considering a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics, to demonstrate against the treatment of the Muslim minority of Uyghurs by the Chinese authorities.
Asked whether Canada was going to follow in its neighbor’s footsteps when it arrived at the Liberal caucus in the morning, the MP for Brome-Missisquoi, Quebec, gave out a catch-all response that does not specifically respond to Canadian intentions in relation to the issue. at the Olympics, which will be launched on February 4.
“The decision has not yet been made. We are still in discussions with the allies. The government respects the independence of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees. As Minister of Sports, my priority is obviously the safety of the athletes and their success, ”indicated Ms. St-Onge before dodging the journalists.
It was the first time that Ms. St-Onge commented on this issue since she was appointed Minister of Sports. She is also the Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.
On Tuesday, the Liberals blocked the tabling of a motion by Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe asking to postpone the Beijing Olympics for one year. And with just under two months of the opening ceremony, Ottawa has yet to determine whether there will be a diplomatic boycott of the event.
Mr. van Koeverden however indicated that he “had a beer” with Mr. Brunelle-Duceppe on Tuesday evening to discuss the situation, and added that he respected his position, even if he did not share it.
For his part, the leader of the Conservatives, Erin O’Toole, said he was in favor of a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics.
“As usual, the Bloc Québécois was slow. A year ago, we proposed to relocate the Olympic Games because we have to send a message to China. Now just before the Games, we must have a diplomatic boycott and not a boycott approach for the athletes. We must act in partnership with our allies, ”he declared after leaving his caucus meeting.