Huawei concerns raised in Parliament

The issue of whether a Chinese telecom equipment maker poses a security threat by operating in Canada is being raised following related questions in the House of Commons on Monday. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. has been the subject of a number of security-related concerns emanating from the United States—including from high-ranking intelligence officials—in recent months. On Monday, a Conservative member of parliament pondered a similar question north of the border. “Does the Prime Minister recognize that there may be a threat to Canadian cybersecurity?” asked MP Candice Bergen, who called the testimony heard by the U.S. Senate committee “compelling.” “What is doing to stop China-owned Huawei from spying on Canadians?” Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale replied by saying cybersecurity is an “extraordinarily important priority for the country and for the government,” adding the recent budget has set aside more than $700 million over the next few years in cyber initiatives, including a centre that will monitor critical infrastructure. Bergen also said national security experts in Canada have raised similar concerns, as reported by the Globe and Mail on Monday. The paper cited a former director of Canada’s spy agency — the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) — Ward Elcock, who was quoted as saying he would not want to see Huawei equipment used in a 5G network in the country. Goodale, in reply, said his department had “completed a national security review of our cybersecurity systems” and would “take every step necessary to make sure that this critical infrastructure, which is vital to Canada and to our relations with countries around the world, is properly protected and defended.” The concern about telecom infrastructure being susceptible to potential foreign influence has been raised in other contexts recently. The government, under direction of Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, in February said it was continuing a national security review of a Chinese construction company’s bid last year for Aecon Group Inc., a leading Canadian infrastructure company. The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday, citing an analyst, that the deal could fall through because it could put China in charge of Aecon’s telecom arm, which builds networks. Scott Bradley, vice-president of corporate affairs at Huawei in Canada, said there is no basis for concern. “Huawei has been working openly and transparently with Canadian operators and the Canadian government since coming to Canada in 2008. There has never been an issue,” he said. “We remain fully committed to Canada and working with our Canadian operators and Canadian stakeholders in building a competitive 5G ecosystem,” he added. On Tuesday, in light of the government’s Monday announcement about funding for a 5G project, BCE Inc. released a press release applauding the government and reaffirming its partnership with Huawei. Most recently, the two companies laid the foundation for new high-capacity fixed wireless technology that utilizes 5G technology in smaller and underserved communities. That’s on top of Huawei having already joined organizations and funded initiatives in the country.

Huawei concerns raised in Parliament

Brief | March 21, 2018

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Huawei concerns raised in Parliament

Brief | March 21, 2018

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