A new poll has found that Canadians don’t trust Chinese telecommunications company Huawei.
According to a new poll from the Angus Reid Institute (via CBC), two-thirds of 1,499 respondents surveyed in recent weeks said they had an unfavourable view of Canada’s second-largest trading partner, up from 51 percent in 2018.
On the specific question of whether China-controlled Huawei should be able to be involved in Canada’s 5G networks, 68 percent say no, while 21 percent say yes.
Clear majorities of supporters of all parties want Huawei blocked. 79 percent of Conservatives, 65 percent of Liberals, 66 percent of New Democrats, and 60 percent of Bloc voters want the Chinese company to be blocked from Canada’s 5G networks, reads the report.
In addition, 77 percent of Canadians want Chinese investment in sensitive industries like finance and telecommunications to be prohibited.
Nine out of 10 said they believe China cannot be trusted to uphold human rights and refrain from interfering politically in judicial matters.
“While the Trudeau government considers its options to resolve simmering tensions, Canadians are growing more frustrated with China,” Angus Reid said a statement.
Relations between Canada and China hit rock bottom following the December 2018 arrest in Vancouver of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou — and China’s detention just nine days later of former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor.
