After announcing his resignation from the House of Commons, Liberal MP Shaun Chen faced allegations of voting on legislation while in China earlier this year. The claims, widely circulated by conservative figures, point to videos posted on the Chinese platform WeChat showing Chen in China on the same day he allegedly voted in Parliament.
According to independent journalist Andy Lee and other social media posts, evidence suggests that Chen was in China on March 25th, the same day he reportedly voted electronically in the House of Commons. Notably, it is against House rules for Members of Parliament to cast votes while outside of Canada.
Conservative MP John Barlow echoed concerns about Chen’s actions, emphasizing the potential security risks associated with voting from abroad. The rules governing House procedures explicitly state that MPs must physically be in Canada to participate in electronic votes, with strict measures in place to verify their identity and location.
In response to the allegations, Chen’s office clarified that he was indeed in China from March 14 to March 22 but returned to Canada before the House of Commons session on March 23. Supporting documentation, including his boarding pass and visa stamps, corroborate his travel dates and refute claims of voting from outside the country.
Chen attributed his resignation to health issues stemming from a past car accident, which have limited his ability to travel to Ottawa regularly. The trip to China, organized by the Hakka Canadian Association for parliamentary business, was scrutinized for cybersecurity risks, with detailed coordination between Chen and House of Commons IT staff.
The Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner disclosed information about Chen’s trip, confirming its official nature and the accommodations provided. Despite the controversy surrounding his travel, Chen maintained that he did not violate voting regulations and decided to step down due to ongoing health concerns.