OP’s note: For context, Michael Ma was elected to parliament while running for the Conservative party, but “crossed the floor” to become a member of the Liberal party in December 2025.

Liberal MP Michael Ma is facing criticism for downplaying persistent allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang, China, during a committee hearing on Thursday.

Ma asked a series of pointed questions to academic witness and former bureaucrat Margaret McCuaig-Johnston. She is a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa who served as a federal assistant deputy minister and holds a master’s degree in international relations focused on China.

Ma asked her a series of rapid-fire yes or no questions that appeared to seek to undermine her expertise as well as allegations of human rights violations against China.

He asked her if she holds an advanced degree in cybersecurity — she does not — whether an institute she’s affiliated with looks for risks in China where there are none, and finally, whether she personally has witnessed forced labour in Xinjiang.

“Have you witnessed this yourself?” he asked. “Have you been there, ever?”

“I’ve been to China many times since 1979,” said McCuaig-Johnston.

“Just a short answer. Have you witnessed forced labour in Xinjiang? Yes or no,” said Ma. “Did you get it from hearsay?”

She responded by saying she works closely with Human Rights Watch where researchers did witness it.