Charles Burton's Statement and Answers at Canadian Commons Science Committee on Concerns Over Imports of Chinese Electric Vehicles on April 20, 2026

Charles Burton's Statement and Answers at Canadian Commons Science Committee on Concerns Over Imports of Chinese Electric Vehicles on April 20, 2026

 

Charles Burton's Statement and Answers at Canadian Commons Procedure Committee on Proposed Amendments to Canada Elections Act to Better Counter Chinese Covert Interference on May 7, 2026

Charles Burton's Statement and Answers at Canadian Commons Procedure Committee on Proposed Amendments to Canada Elections Act to Better Counter Chinese Covert Interference on May 7, 2026 

Charles Burton Interview on Finance Minister Champagne's Delegation in Beijing on CTV News Channel

Burton: A Canadian’s Past, Present and Future with China

 A Canadian’s Past, Present and Future with China

https://www.cips-cepi.ca/2026/03/10/a-canadians-past-present-and-future-with-china/

For decades, the assumption in Ottawa was that economic and institutional engagement would inevitably lead to political liberalization. We operated on the sincere, naive belief that by sharing our democratic values, the Chinese Communist Party would naturally liberalize. That hope was systematically dismantled. As Xi Jinping ascended to paramount leadership, it became undeniably clear that the regime never intended to reform. Instead, they weaponized our openness to modernize their economy and strengthen their totalitarian grip. The ultimate confirmation of Beijing’s hostility toward those speaking the truth came when I was formally sanctioned by the PRC in December 2024.

Given the current political trajectory, decisive action seems unlikely. Beijing wouldn’t approve, and the grim reality is that a generation of politically connected Canadian business elites and the corporate lawyers who facilitate their deals have become spontaneously beholden to the Chinese regime’s geostrategic interests. They are desperate to return to “business as usual,” doing so at a terminal cost to Canadian national security and our fundamental sovereignty.

When our leaders assess what they are willing to trade away for the transactional promise of market access, they would do well to remember the wisdom of St. Matthew: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Burton: There’s a blur around our Foreign Interference Transparency Commissioner

 There’s a blur around our Foreign Interference Transparency Commissioner

https://www.ipolitics.ca/2026/03/10/theres-a-blur-around-our-foreign-interference-transparency-commissioner/

Is the Government’s actual plan to have a Transparency Commission that is weak, compliant and underfund, and undercut its independence by having the new Foreign Interference Coordinator control who gets listed on the Foreign Influence Registry?

The fear is that Mr. Boegman will end up being a figurehead, more active in issuing information bulletins and updates than exposing figures who help promote the agendas of Beijing and Moscow in Canada — and receive benefits for doing so.

Many people will be watching to ensure Mr. Boegman flourishes in his job. Canadians have long been clamouring for a transparency registry. They will want to be certain that it is be being properly used to protect our national security.

Burton: Opening Statement to Canadian House of Commons International Trade Committee on February 26, 2026

 

Burton: The Illusion of “Beneficial” Relations Ottawa’s Latest Capitulation to Beijing

 Burton: The Illusion of “Beneficial” Relations Ottawa’s Latest Capitulation to Beijing

https://therealstory.substack.com/p/the-illusion-of-beneficial-relations?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2hy34d&triedRedirect=true

So, what is China’s actual motive in wanting to send a delegation of ersatz “parliamentarians” to Canada?

It is, of course, a classic United Front operational tactic: an opportunity to identify and curry favour with Canadian policymakers who might serve as promising targets for future influence. The broader, more insidious purpose is to promote the illusion that China is a legitimate nation-state with a legislature that serves as a moral and political equivalent to Canada’s democratic parliament.

China’s national constitution makes the ridiculous claim that this utterly impotent NPC is the “supreme organ of state power.” Try telling that to the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party’s Political Bureau, where Xi Jinping’s true regime authority resides.

The bottom line is that the Canada-China Legislative Association is a Communist Party United Front Work Department proxy agency. It serves the Chinese regime’s geostrategic purposes, and Canadian taxpayers are footing half the bill.

Burton: China’s political roiling is getting attention here in Canada - iPolitics

Burton: China’s political roiling is getting attention here in Canada - iPolitics

https://www.ipolitics.ca/2026/02/13/chinas-political-roiling-is-getting-attention-here-in-canada/

Whatever is really going on with Xi’s grip on power (and officials in Washington and elsewhere are watching very closely), the glaring fundamental barrier between Beijing and the West remains the incompatibility between the absolute authority of China’s Communist Party and the societal accountability of democratic institutions — including Canada’s.

This is not simply a case of divergent opinions over human rights or the role of sovereignty in relations between nations. Before we even begin negotiating the details of diplomatic or trade agreements, seeing the Canada-China relationship as a “strategic partnership” first requires us to believe that we can have reciprocal, fair state-to-state relations.

And that requires buying into a myth, not reality.

Burton on CTV News: With a death sentence in China overturned, could Robert Schellenberg receive a trial in Canada?

 

Jason Kenney's Speech at Burton Book Launch December 1, 2025 Lord Elgin Hotel

Jason Kenney's Speech at Ottawa Book Launch December 1, 2025 Lord Elgin Hotel

He was the only academic willing to challenge the deep and subtle Canadian foreign policy consensus about China relations and always thoughtfully. He was one of the first Canadian scholars to go into China following the normalization of relations in 1970, and always with a fair mind. 

He and I encountered each other when he was assigned a contract by the Department of Foreign Affairs to produce a report specifically on the Canada-China  human rights dialogue. And I'll allow him to summarize it. But, the headline was essentially he said it was a sham and a fraud, and that it got in the way of substantive, respectful dialogue between the two sides. 

Well, the Department tried to bury his report. I was then the chairman of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons. And so we passed a motion as a committee to force the release of this report, and all hell broke loose, complicated by the fact that I was actually the parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister at the time. 

And that was just the beginning of a long and interesting journey that I had with Charles for many years in government. 

I want to say that for all of those years, I tried at my best to challenge a consensus that was not operating in the interest of Canada, and I am pleased to say that that view, Charles’ view, the view of many of you in this room, has been vindicated, and it's not a happy education, but it's a vindication nevertheless. And I can tell you that the Canadian business community that was speaking with one voice 15 years ago, 10 years ago, maybe even five years ago, suggesting that the only possible Canadian policy vis-a-vis Beijing was when it was a total supplication. On all counts, that is no longer the case because virtually none of those businesses actually made earnings with their operations, most of them if they made the effort there found that their local partners  absconded with intellectual property, with copyright, with patent, with sensitive information, with profits, with capital. With no legal recourse, despite the Harper government's best efforts. All of which is to say that it's been a bitter vindication.

 But Charles, you've been a voice in the wilderness. You've been a prophet. And you more than anyone in Canada. Is responsible for the fundamental shift from cynicism towards realism in the Canada China relationship, and I just want to say, as a friend, thank you for that. Thank you.