Ont. trade mission to China will go ahead
Last Updated: Thursday, April 10, 2008 | 3:12 PM ET
The Canadian Press
Ontario's Liberal government has passed a motion calling on China to engage in dialogue with Tibet, but is going ahead with a trade mission to Beijing.
The Liberals have been taking heat all week over Trade Minister Sandra Pupatello's planned visit to China this weekend, with human rights activists and the opposition parties condemning the timing of the trip.
On Thursday, hundreds of pro-Tibet activists gathered in front of the legislature in protest.
Deputy Premier George Smitherman introduced the motion in the legislature, calling it a "very, very strong opportunity for Ontarians to be united" in their stand against human rights abuses in Tibet.
Conservative critic Randy Hillier called the Liberal motion "weak and fluffy and of no importance whatsoever," and condemned what he said was the "secrecy and deception" of the Liberals in trying to hide Pupatello's trip.
The Tories also complained that the Liberals failed to even notify them of the China motion when the three party house leaders met earlier in the day.
