TORONTO—Liberal MP Judy Sgro says Taiwan should be allowed to participate in the World Health Organization (WHO), as member states of its decision-making body are set to convene this month for an annual meeting focused on preventing future global pandemics.
“It’s very important for the world to have [Taiwan] at the table when they’re talking about future pandemics and all of the other infectious diseases that we’re learning about,” Ms. Sgro told The Epoch Times on May 4.
“Taiwan has a tremendous amount to offer. They’ve done a lot of work to try to stay ahead of these kinds of potential for diseases, and they deserve to be there. As a Canadian I'd like to see them there, because I know I’m going to be safer, Canadians are going to be safer, with Taiwan at the table.”
“When the pandemic hit, the very first people who were helping us with masks and disinfectant were the Taiwanese community,” she said. “I find the Taiwanese community and Canadians are very similar in many ways, and we need to strengthen that partnership and ensure the safety of all of our citizens.”
Ms. Sgro spoke at an event held May 4 at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto, advocating for Taiwan’s participation in the WHO. The event was hosted by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), Taiwan’s de facto representative office in Toronto.
Taiwan, a democratic island located southeast of mainland China, faces persistent diplomatic and economic suppression from the communist regime in Beijing within the international arena, along with consistent military coercion. Ms. Sgro noted that under Beijing’s diplomatic pressure, Taiwan remains excluded from the WHO.
“China continually wants to keep Taiwan out of any major opportunity for them to show how advanced they are, and the kind of technology and things that they have to offer. So China’s the problem,” Ms. Sgro said. She added that despite China’s intimidation, Taiwanese people remain “very strong, very resilient.”
The World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of the WHO, is scheduled to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 27 for its yearly summit. TECO Director General Jin-Ling Chen said Taiwan has not yet been invited to participate in this year’s WHA session.
“The United States strongly encourages the WHO to reinstate an invitation to Taiwan to participate as an observer at this year’s WHA so the world may once again benefit from Taiwan’s expertise and experience,” the statement said.
“Taiwan’s continued exclusion from this preeminent global health forum undermines inclusive global public health cooperation and security, which the world demands – and urgently needs. Inviting Taiwan to observe the WHA is a critically important step toward affirming the WHO’s goal of ‘Health for All.’”
Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi and Conservative MP Michael Cooper also attended the event to call for the inclusion of Taiwan in this year’s WHA summit.
“It is not only in Taiwan’s interest, it’s in Canada’s interest, it’s in the interests of global health security, that Taiwan gets a seat at the table,” Mr Cooper said.
Mr. Cooper additionally advocated for Taiwan’s involvement within the WHO.
“Taiwan has been a consistent leader, one of the biggest leaders in global health and public health in the world. We saw this during COVID. Taiwan, moreover, has provided billions and billions of dollars in aid and assistance to countries around the world,” he said.
“Here in Canada, during the early days of COVID, we faced a PPE shortage; ... Taiwan stepped up to help in delivering half a million surgical masks. Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.”
Mr. Ehsassi noted Taiwan’s contributions to global advancements in areas such as scientific research.
“It is worth emphasizing that Taiwan has always been a force for good in the world. And because of that, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with you,” he said.
