Conservatives call for complete ban on Huawei equipment in 5G rollout

The Conservative Party of Canada is renewing its call for an outright ban on deployment of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. gear when telecoms rollout their 5G networks. “Those who control the medium can control those who use the medium,” Ed Fast, the party's new critic for innovation, science and economic development told the Wire Report Friday. Some countries have restricted Huawei equipment to non-core sections of their networks but Fast rejects this, calling for a total ban. Britain had initially permitted Huawei to be deployed in its grids but reversed the decision and will oust the gear by 2027. A news release issued by Fast, Conservative public safety critic Raquel Dancho and public services and procurement critic Pierre Paul-Hus earlier in the week called on the government to finalize a decision on the 5G rollout. “All of Canada’s Five Eyes allies have either banned or severely restricted the use of Huawei in their 5G infrastructure due to concerns that such technology could be used for espionage purposes and undermine our broader security and economic interests,” the communique said. “There is no reason why Justin Trudeau has waited years to make a decision.” In his interview with Wire Report, Fast conceded that concern over the fate of Canadians imprisoned in China could account for the government’s reluctance to make a decision. Although Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig have been released as part of a deal involving the release of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, there are still 115 Canadians in Chinese jails, including one of Fast’s constituents, Robert Schellenberg who was sentenced to death for drug offences. “The Trudeau government did not want to make a decision,” Fast said. “Canada’s telecoms have shamed the government by adopting other manufacturers.” Former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer also called for a ban on Huawei gear on Canadian networks, though declined to specify what type of ban the Conservatives sought. While BCE Inc. has been deploying equipment from Nokia Corp. for its 5G networks, it and Telus Corp. maintain they are still open to using Huawei gear if the government allows it. The government has been mulling over the decision since its time as a majority government, and has only said a decision will be forthcoming "soon." --Reporting by Paul Park, ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Michael Lee-Murphy at mleemurphy@thewirereport.ca

Conservatives call for complete ban on Huawei equipment in 5G rollout

News | November 26, 2021

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us