MP Michael Ma Should Resign 國會議員馬榮錚理應請辭

Press Release

MP Michael Ma Should Resign for His Performative Questioning

Toronto Association for Democracy (TADC) is deeply concerned that Markham-Unionville MP Michael Ma remains in the Liberal caucus after he cast doubt on report of China’s human-rights abuses against Uyghurs.

Ma questioned expert witness Margaret McCuaig-Johnston at a meeting of the House of Commons industry committee, attempting to cast doubts on her qualification as well as asking whether she has personally witnessed forced labour in China.

“His line of questioning is troubling,” said Cheuk Kwan, co-chair of Toronto Association for Democracy in China. “Ma is basically advancing China’s narrative that there’s no forced labour, or any other human rights abuses, in the country.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ma has apologized and will continue to be part of his party’s caucus.

“Michael Ma received an inordinate amount of positive coverage in China immediately after the hearing,” Kwan added. “I really wonder who his performative questioning is actually for.”

During the 2025 federal election, TADC broke the news that then-Markham-Unionville MP Paul Chiang had remarked that anyone who brought his then-opponent Joe Tay to the Chinese consulate could collect the HK$1 million bounty. The Hong Kong government had placed such a bounty on YouTuber and radio broadcaster Tay for his public criticism of the government, thus violating its National Security Law.

Chiang subsequently apologized, claiming that he had misspoken. Carney defended Chiang, who continued to sit with the caucus until he withdrew as a candidate days later.

“This is history repeating itself,” Kwan noted. “PM Carney continues to defend the indefensible. He should assume leadership, do the right thing and ask for Ma’s resignation.”