After announcing his resignation from the House of Commons, Liberal MP Shaun Chen faced accusations of violating House rules by voting on legislation while in China earlier this year. The allegations, widely circulated by conservative influencers and some current and former Conservative MPs, were based on videos shared on WeChat showing Chen in China on the same day he electronically voted in the House of Commons.
Claims circulated by independent journalist Andy Lee suggested that Chen voted remotely while in China, potentially breaching national security protocols. Conservative MP John Barlow echoed concerns, emphasizing the need for answers on Chen’s overseas activities and cited House of Commons rules prohibiting MPs from voting outside Canada.
Specifically, it was alleged that Chen participated in voting on Bill C-9, the government’s hate crime legislation, while in China. Despite speculation that the videos could have been edited and posted after the trip, questions persisted regarding the legitimacy of Chen’s voting location.
House rules explicitly forbid MPs from voting while abroad, with electronic votes permitted only within Canada. Furthermore, visual confirmation of a member’s identity is required, utilizing facial recognition technology through a dedicated voting app. The Speaker’s office emphasized the presence of technical controls and validation processes to ensure compliance with voting regulations.
Chen’s office clarified that he returned to Canada on March 23 following his trip to China from March 14 to March 22. Supporting evidence included his boarding pass and visa stamps showing his travel dates. It was affirmed that Chen did not vote from outside Canada, attributing his resignation to health issues affecting his ability to travel to Ottawa regularly.
Critics, including Lee, questioned Chen’s ability to travel to China despite health concerns preventing frequent trips to Ottawa. The trip to China was organized by the Hakka Canadian Association for parliamentary business, with cybersecurity precautions taken in coordination with House of Commons IT staff.
Details of Chen’s trip were publicly disclosed by the Office of Canada’s Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, confirming the itinerary and purpose of the visit. Amid ongoing scrutiny, Chen reiterated his decision to resign due to health challenges following a previous car accident.