MPs from all parties attend a reception hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa in the evening of October 7, 2026, celebrating the 115th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). (The Epoch Times)
NTD Staff
OTTAWA — Canadian lawmakers from all parties joined the celebration of the 115th Republic of China’s (Taiwan) National Day at Ottawa’s Château Laurier, calling for stronger trade ties and a united response to the CCP’s growing threat to both democracies.
“Natural partners”
Liberal MP Judy Sgro, chair of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, said the occasion was a chance to reflect on the values the two countries share.
“Canada and Taiwan are united by a commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, and open and inclusive societies,” she said. “These values continue to strengthen the bond between our two peoples.”
Sgro described Taiwan as a remarkable example of democratic resilience and innovation, and said cooperation between like-minded partners has never been more important. She pointed to growing trade, investment, educational exchanges and people-to-people ties. “We’re natural partners,” she said. She also reaffirmed Canada’s long-standing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet described Taiwan as indispensable to global supply chains, arguing that the more business Canada does with Taiwan, the safer Taiwan will be.
“Taiwan found a way forward”
Reflecting on the anniversary, Taiwan’s representative to Canada Harry Tseng said the country’s history has been full of challenges, including moments when the international community did not expect Taiwan to succeed. “But somehow, time and again, Taiwan found a way forward,” he said.
He pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in how the world sees Taiwan. During the pandemic, he said, Taiwan protected its own society while supplying critical medical equipment and helping global industries recover. “They saw resilience. They saw reliability,” Tseng said of Taiwan’s international partners.
Tseng said Taiwan is ready to work with Canada and other like-minded partners. He highlighted growing cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, communication technology and energy security, which he called part of “a much bigger conversation” about building a more secure and sustainable world. He also said Taiwan’s semiconductor industry drove 8.6 per cent GDP growth last year, with growth projected at 11.6 per cent this year.
United against Beijing’s interference
Speakers warned that the CCP is trying to interfere in the democracies of both Canada and Taiwan.
Conservative MP Eric Duncan praised Taiwan’s democracy and technological leadership, and called for deeper economic ties and more secure supply chains. Citing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, he said Canadians are united against Beijing’s attempts to interfere in Canada’s democracy and intimidate its people. Duncan said his party would continue to stand firmly with Taiwanese Canadians and defend the country against “the CCP’s efforts to undermine our freedoms.”
NDP MP Jenny Kwan said Taiwanese Canadians helped build her Vancouver East community, and that Taiwan stood by Canada during the pandemic. “Taiwan showed up for us,” she said. “And to be a friend, it also means that Canada needs to show up for them.”
Kwan said that as the federal government seeks to diversify trade away from the United States, Taiwan must be part of that effort. “That is what it means to be a middle power,” she said. “That is what it means to be Canadian.”
Sgro, Duncan and Kwan are all expected to visit Taiwan next week as part of a parliamentary delegation.