Vote! Should Canada boycott the Beijing Olympics?

It’s a strange day in Canadian politics when the Conservatives poach a policy from the Greens, but that’s what happened last week. Both parties called for Canada to boycott the Beijing 2022 Olympics over China’s human rights record. On Monday, Parliament declared China’s treatment of Muslim minorities “a genocide.”

Whether it’s the 2-year-long detainment of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the repression of democratic rights in Hong Kong, or the treatment of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims, Canadians are growing increasingly angry with the Chinese government, according to pollsters.

But some experts suggest that Olympic boycotts achieve little, while others, such as Canada’s former Ambassador to China, David Mulroney, says it’s a stand Canada must take.

What do you think?

Take our February Peace Poll – including our monthly question on Canada’s overall direction – then write a comment for others to read.