Four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the Northwest Territories are embarking on a trip to Taiwan this week to engage in discussions regarding shared interests between the two regions. The delegation includes Jane Weyallon Armstrong, Robert Hawkins, Richard Edjericon, and Shane Thompson, and their visit is scheduled to last six days, commencing on Friday.
During their time in Taiwan, the MLAs are set to hold meetings with government officials, business leaders, and Indigenous organizations to explore various topics such as economic development, trade, tourism, Indigenous relations, clean energy, critical minerals, and innovation. The announcement from the legislative assembly on Tuesday outlined the agenda for the trip.
Shane Thompson, representing Nahendeh, expressed that the planning for this trip has been ongoing for three years, with initial discussions taking place during a visit to Vancouver in 2023 between the MLAs and the Taiwan government. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver extended the invitation to the N.W.T.’s 12 regular MLAs, offering a total of six spots for the delegation.
Thompson clarified that the Taiwanese government is covering the expenses for the trip, ensuring that there are no costs incurred by taxpayers. The MLAs have disclosed the trip to the N.W.T.’s integrity commissioner to maintain transparency.
For Thompson, the visit to Taiwan presents an opportunity to gain insights into the Taiwanese government’s approach to Indigenous affairs and to promote tourism in the Northwest Territories. He emphasized the significance of showcasing the diverse landscapes and attractions of the region to a global audience.
Richard Edjericon, representing Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh, highlighted his focus areas for the trip, including tourism, critical minerals, Indigenous relationships, and fostering stronger ties between the two democratic entities. He underscored the importance of attracting investments to the North and showcasing the value of its people on the international stage.
While some MLAs opted not to participate in the trip due to prior commitments, others, like Shauna Morgan and Julian Morse, cited the perceived lack of relevance to their constituents’ interests as a reason for abstaining. Morgan also expressed concerns about navigating geopolitical tensions in the region involving China, which she felt might be intertwined with such diplomatic engagements.
Thompson clarified that the delegation is traveling to Taiwan as independent MLAs to enhance the relationship between the Northwest Territories and Taiwan, emphasizing that they are not representing the federal government.
The visit to Taiwan follows Conservative MP Michael Chong’s trip to the region in May, which he described as an assertion of Canada’s sovereignty and a response to warnings from the Chinese government against parliamentary visits to Taiwan. Scott Simon, the co-chair of Taiwan studies at the University of Ottawa, noted the longstanding diplomatic complexities between Canada, Taiwan, and China, emphasizing the delicate balance maintained by Canada in its stance towards Taiwan.
Simon expressed support for the MLAs’ visit to Taiwan, asserting that it aligns with Canada’s position of neither endorsing nor challenging China’s claims over Taiwan. He viewed the trip as an opportunity for Canada to exercise its autonomy and strengthen its strategic position in global affairs without undermining diplomatic relationships with China.
In conclusion, the trip by the Northwest Territories MLAs to Taiwan is seen as a significant step in fostering dialogue, promoting mutual interests, and asserting Canada’s autonomy in international relations.