Michael McCain, president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., is lobbying the Canadian Senate to reject a bill calling for sanctions to be applied to China over human rights abuses.
“On behalf of Maple Leaf Foods and the entire Canadian livestock and meat industry I appeal to you to withdraw this initiative,” McCain wrote to senators Leo Housakos and Than Hai Ngo who introduced the motion.
Copies of the letter were also sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, outgoing Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, Agriculture and Agri-Food minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Senator Don Plett.
“In making this request, I am not making any judgment on the issue of human rights abuses in Hong Kong or in China. But the simple fact is that Canada acting alone on this ensures two certain consequences: (i) Chinese human rights policies will not change and (ii) Chinese retaliation will be uniquely directed to Canada,” McCain wrote.
McCain noted that China’s ambassador to Canada has warned that sanctions would result in further trade retaliation.
“It is no exaggeration to say that there are thousands of livelihoods at risk if your motion triggers action by the government,” McCain wrote in a letter that CTV obtained.
