The Crow's Nest Olympic Facility in Beijing, China. Photo: Canadian Olympic Committee
The Federal Conservatives are calling on the Canadian government to reconsider their plans for the 2022 Bejing Winter Olympics.
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is condemning the event citing China’s troubling record on human rights as a cause for concern.
“Today, I call on Justin Trudeau to actively seek the relocation of the 2022 Olympic Games. Canada should not be sending athletes to China in the middle of a genocide,” O’Toole said.
O’Tooles’ statement did not shy away from accusing the Chinese government of wrongdoings, “I think Canadians would agree that it would violate fundamental ethical principles to participate in an Olympic Games hosted by a country that is committing a genocide against part of its population.”
Another concern of the Conservative leader is sending athletes to the 2022 Olympics would tarnish the values the games are meant to represent.
“The Olympic Games and the athletes who compete in them have and will inspire the next generation – and they must continue to provide such inspiration. But not in China, in the shadow of a genocide.”
The Prime Minister and his office have not responded to O’Tooles’ remarks as of yet.
Earlier this month 13 MPs from all of the parties represented in the House of Commons made a similar request, also citing Chinas’ human rights record as a reason to move the games.
The MPs who signed the letter are;
- Liberal MPs Ken Hardie, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and Sameer Zuberi.
- Conservative MPs Arnold Viersen, Cathay Wagantall and Kelly Block.
- Bloc Québécois MPs Denis Trudel and Stéphane Bergeron.
- NDP MPs Heather McPherson and Jenny Kwan.
- Green MPs Elizabeth May and Paul Manly.
The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee are not supporting the idea of moving or boycotting the games as they feel it will unfairly impact athletes who have long coveted attending.
On February 4, they released a letter indicating the organizations’ determination to see the event take place as scheduled.
“In no way are we, at the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee, trying to minimize what is happening in China. But a boycott is not the answer.
Rather, we believe the interests of all Canadians, and the global community, are better advanced through competing and celebrating great Canadian performances and values on the Olympic and Paralympic stage.”
The Prime Minister and his office have not responded to O’Tooles’ remarks as of yet.
