Teresa Wat, the former international trade minister and current MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport, is under scrutiny due to her close ties with the Chinese government. Wat has won her riding by double-digit margins in the last three elections, but her record includes significant engagements with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Her recent switch to the BC Conservative Party has sparked questions about the party's stance on international trade and foreign interference in Canadian politics.
Wat played a pivotal role in signing a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2016, which led to agreements worth approximately $2.3 billion. Critics argue that her past associations with the CCP could pose risks to Canadian sovereignty and influence the BC Conservative Party's policies if she is elected. Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian ambassador to China, has suggested that Wat must clarify her policies regarding China and international trade to alleviate concerns among voters.
The BC Conservative Party has not yet clarified its international trade policy, leaving many to wonder how it aligns with Wat's previous positions. The party's platform mentions attracting international investment and opening new markets, but specifics on how they plan to handle relations with China remain vague. Meanwhile, the BC NDP has also been relatively quiet on its international trade policy, further complicating the political landscape as the election approaches. As scrutiny intensifies, both parties may need to address the implications of foreign influence in their platforms and policies [3e9e3e1d].