Liberal, Conservative MPs Urge Taiwan’s Addition to WHO

TORONTO—Liberal MP Judy Sgro expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO), as member states of its decision-making body are set to convene this month for an annual meeting focused on preventing future global pandemics.

“It’s very important for the world to have WHO at the table when they’re talking about future pandemics and all of the other infectious diseases that we’re learning about,” Ms. Sgro told The Epoch Times on May 4. “Taiwan has a tremendous amount to offer. They’ve done a lot of work to try to stay ahead of these kinds of potential for diseases, and they deserve to be there.”

“As a Canadian, I'd like to see them there. Because I know I’m going to be safer, Canadians are going to be safer with Taiwan at the table.

Ms. Sgro, chair of the parliamentary Canada-Taiwan Friendship Group, highlighted the island’s support for Canada in times of need, pointing to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), Taiwan made several waves of donations of medical supplies to Canada.

“When the pandemic hit, the very first people who were helping us with masks and disinfectant were the Taiwanese community,” she said. “I find the Taiwanese community and Canadians are very similar in many ways, and we need to strengthen that partnership and ensure the safety of all of our citizens.

Ms. Sgro spoke at an event held at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto, advocating for Taiwan’s participation in the WHO. The event was hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), Taiwan’s de facto representative office.

Related Stories

Liberal MP Judy Sgro speaks at an event held at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto on May 4, 2024. The event was hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office with the aim of advocating for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization. (Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times)

Taiwan, a democratic island located southeast of mainland China, faces persistent diplomatic and economic suppression from communist Beijing within the international arena, along with consistent military coercion. Ms. Sgro noted that under Beijing’s diplomatic pressure, Taiwan remains excluded from the WHO.

“China continually wants to keep Taiwan out of any major opportunity for them to show how advanced they are, and the kind of technology and things that they have to offer. So China’s the problem,” Ms. Sgro said. She added that despite China’s challenges, Taiwanese people remain “very strong, very resilient.”

The World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the WHO, is scheduled to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 27 for its yearly summit. TECO Director General Jin-Ling Chen said Taiwan has not yet been invited to participate in this year’s WHA session.

Jin-Ling Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, speaks during an event held at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto on May 4, 2024. (Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times)

Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi and Conservative MP Michael Cooper both attended the May 4 Toronto event to extend support for the inclusion of Taiwan in this year’s WHA convention.

Mr. Cooper additionally advocated for Taiwan’s increased involvement within the WHO, noting it’s in the interest of Canadians and “global health security.”

“Taiwan has been a consistent leader, one of the biggest leaders in global health and public health in the world. We saw this during COVID. Taiwan, moreover, has provided billions and billions of dollars in aid and assistance to countries around the world,” he said.

“Here in Canada, during the early days of COVID, we faced a PPE shortage; ... Taiwan stepped up to help in delivering half a million surgical masks. Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.”

Last June, Mr. Cooper introduced Bill C-343, aimed at strengthening ties with Taiwan. He highlighted Taiwan as Canada’s 11th largest trading partner and that it manufactures critical high-tech products such as semiconductors.

Conservative MP Michael Cooper speaks at an event held at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto on May 4, 2024. (Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times)

Mr. Ehsassi further emphasized Taiwan’s contributions to global advancements in areas such as scientific research.

“It is worth emphasizing that Taiwan has always been a force for good in the world. And because of that, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with you,” he said at the May 4 event.

Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi speaks at an event held at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto on May 4, 2024. (Andrew Chen/The Epoch Times)

Ms. Sgro is leading a delegation of 12 parliamentarians to visit Taiwan, starting on May 13. Their itinerary includes attending the inauguration of Taiwan’s president-elect, Lai Ching-te, during that week.