O'Toole blasts 'naïve' Trudeau over allowing Chinese troops to train in Canada

Conservative Party Leader Erin O'Toole raised concerns about the federal government's handling of Canada–China relations on Friday after a bombshell report revealed that diplomats within the Trudeau government invited officials and troops from the Chinese People's Liberation Army to attend training exercises in Ontario.

"Mr. Trudeau has ignored the advice of our military, and our allies for years on China... We are learning our military and allies warned them of the dangers of sharing military knowledge with China. But it seems the Liberals will never listen," said O'Toole on Thursday.

"Today is the sad anniversary of the illegal abduction and imprisonment of two Canadian citizens in China. For months, China has unfairly targeted our farming exports. For years, the Chinese communist party has been carrying out mass-interment of the Uyghurs in concentration camps, and still the Liberals keep pushing for more involvement and more engagement with China."

O'Toole criticized the Liberals for "hiding their direction from Canadians, even though it would risk public safety."

In terms of what the would have done differently, O'Toole said he would have been dealing with China with "eyes wide open, from day one," calling Trudeau "naïve."

"A weak and timid approach has failed. It's time to work with our allies, and show that we're going to have a more serious approach, with respect to Beijing... Beijing thinks the Trudeau government is weak, and he proves them right at every step."

O'Toole said that Canada had to work with the coming presidential administration in the United States, saying Canada should coordinate "issues on trade and Five Eyes security with the US."