Winnipeg to continue sister-city relationship with Chengdu, China
The City of Winnipeg will continue its sister-city relationship with Chengdu, China, with the Mayor saying this relationship is not the same as supporting the Chinese government.
Councillor Russ Wyatt (Transcona) had pitched the motion, calling on the city to 'immediately terminate' its relationship with its Chinese sister city over what he called ongoing human rights issues.
"The world has completely shifted since the days of the creation of our sister city of Chengdu," Wyatt told councillors during Thursday's city council meeting.
"I just don't want to see us in a situation where events take place, as events have been occurring there, that embarrass us as a city for having a sister city in a country that is committing human rights abuses."
Wyatt pointed to the 2021 vote in Parliament in which MPs voted to label China’s treatment of the Uyghur Muslims a genocide.
READ MORE: MPs pass motion declaring genocide against Uyghurs in China, despite cabinet abstentions
Wyatt called on his fellow councillors to, "think globally but act locally."
"It's all about signals," he said, saying this motion would be a signal to those fighting for human rights within China that Winnipeg stands with them.
"I stand with citizens of the Chinese community of this city who believe in democracy and human rights, and that the abuses taking place in China are absolutely outrageous."
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham was opposed to the motion, saying he has heard from members of Winnipeg's Chinese community very concerned about the potential move, citing the importance of the relationship.
"Maintaining our sister-city relationship with Chengdu, China, is not the same as supporting (the) national policy of the Chinese government or any human rights violations that may be occurring in that country," Gillingham said.
Wyatt responded, saying the motion to end the sister-city relationship is directed towards the Chinese government, and not the Chinese citizens.
Wyatt pushed to have the motion referred for further discussion at the Executive Policy Committee. However, a majority of council voted against it, opting instead to receive the motion as information only.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.