Bill C-343: An Act respecting a framework to strengthen Canada-Taiwan relations

Short Title Short title 1 This Act may be cited as the Canada-Taiwan Relations Framework Act . Interpretation Definitions 2 The following definitions apply in this Act. law of Canada  includes (a) an Act of Parliament or a regulation, rule, order, by-law or ordinance made under an Act of Parliament; and (b) an order or decision of a court of Canada. ( loi fédérale ) Taiwan  includes, as the context may require, the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other outlying islands, the people on those islands, any corporations and other entities and associations created or organized under the laws of those islands, the governing authorities of Taiwan, recognized by Canada as the Republic of China before October 13, 1970, and any successor governing authorities, including any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality. ( Taiwan ) Policy of Government of Canada Declaration of policy 3 (1) It is the policy of the Government of Canada to (a) preserve and promote close relations between the people of Canada and the people of Taiwan, including in respect of economic, cultural and legal affairs; (b) conduct its foreign relations on the basis that peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region are in the political, security and economic interests of Canada, and are matters of international concern; (c) promote meaningful security and defence cooperation between Canada and Taiwan, including by supporting Taiwan's participation in regional security dialogues and military exercises; (d) support Taiwan’s participation in international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, within the meaning of the definition Agreement in section 2 of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Implementation Act ; (e) when referring to Taiwan, use language that reflects its right to self-determination; (f) consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, or by boycotts or embargoes, to be a threat to the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific region and of grave concern to Canada; and (g) support the peaceful evolution of democratic political institutions in the Indo-Pacific region. International cooperation (2) For the purposes of furthering international cooperation, it is also the policy of the Government of Canada to (a) support the participation of Taiwan in multilateral international organizations, including the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization and Interpol, and encourage other states and non-governmental organizations to support this goal so that Taiwan may play a role that is commensurate with its position in the Indo- Pacific region; (b) exempt the president or senior government officials of Taiwan from the requirement to obtain the visa required under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act when the primary purpose of their visit to Canada is not official; (c) facilitate communication and interaction between Canadian and Taiwanese officials, including in respect of health, science, Indigenous matters, digital governance, human rights, the promotion of democracy and the challenges relating to the use of disinformation; and (d) permit the office of the representative of the Government of Taiwan in Canada to be referred to as the Taiwan Representative Office and the Trade Office of Canada in Taipei to be referred to as the Canadian Representative Office in Taiwan. References, Property, Legal Capacity and Agreements References to foreign states 4 A general reference in a law of Canada to foreign states or to their governments, including any institutions or agencies of those governments, is deemed to include Taiwan. Property ownership protected 5 For all purposes under the laws of Canada, including an action in any court in Canada, formal recognition of the People’s Republic of China does not affect the ownership of, or other rights or interests in, any real, personal, movable or immovable property, including intellectual property and any other thing of value, owned or held on or before October 13, 1970, or acquired or earned after that date by Taiwan or a citizen of Taiwan. Capacity to sue and be sued 6 (1) Taiwan has the capacity to sue and be sued in a court in Canada in accordance with the laws of Canada, in particular the laws respecting the status of states, relations between states and immunity entitlements granted to states. Capacity not affected (2) In an action in any court in Canada, the capacity referred to in subsection (1) is not abrogated, infringed, modified, denied or otherwise affected in any way by the absence of diplomatic relations with or formal recognition of Taiwan, or by the absence of any certificate that may usually be issued by the Government of Canada for the purposes of litigation. Intergovernmental agreements 7 It is acknowledged that, even in the absence of official diplomatic relations, (a) Canada and Taiwan may enter into agreements with each other; and (b) the laws of Canada respecting international agreements between states applies to such agreements. Condition of reciprocity 8 The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, by regulation, restrict any right, power, immunity or capacity referred to in sections 5 to 7 if, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, they exceed those accorded to Canada or Canadian citizens by Taiwan. Parliamentary Oversight Report to be tabled by Minister 9 Within 60 sitting days after the day on which this Act comes into force, the Minister of Foreign Affairs must table a report in the House of Commons that sets out, within the context of the Government of Canada’s Indo- Pacific strategy, the Government of Canada’s policy approach in respect of Taiwan, including in relation to political, security and economic interests. Committee review 10 The standing committee of each House of Parliament that normally considers matters relating to foreign affairs or any other committee that that House may designate for the purposes of this section must, within one year after the day on which this Act comes into force and at any time afterwards that the committee considers necessary, review and report to the House on (a) the implementation of the provisions of this Act; (b) the continuing relationship between Canada and Taiwan, including in respect of economic, cultural and legal affairs; and (c) the extent to which Canada is engaged in security cooperation with Taiwan.