Ma Defends China Stance, Carney Backs Him

0:00It's March 31st. This is Canada News Today, powered by AI. Liberal MP Michael Ma is spacing backlash for questioning claims of forced labor in China during a committee hearing. He pressed the witness on whether she'd seen it herself in Shenzhen, which some took as downplaying abuses against Uyghurs and Xinjiang. Prime Minister Mark Carney says, Ma apologized and won't face punishment. Ma clarified his question, was about auto-manufacturing in Xinjiang, not Xinjiang, and he regrets sounding dismissive. He opposes forced labor everywhere and issued a quick apology to the witness and colleagues. Carney prays Ma at a closed door fundraiser in the greater Toronto area, calling him a result-striven fit for liberal values. Ma switched from the conservatives to liberals in December. One of three defections boosting Carney's team. This comes as Canada pushes to diversify trade beyond the US, warming ties with China despite past tensions, like the two Michaels' detention. Carney's January Beijing trip cut tariffs on Canadian canola and opened doors for some

1:04Chinese electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Francois Philippe Champagne heads to China this week for investment talks. The Prime Minister's office says Ma is moving forward on priorities like housing and affordability, keeping the focus on those fronts.