(OTTAWA)-- Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) is applauding the announcement by Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains that the government will block the proposed takeover of Canadian construction giant Aecon by China’s state-owned CCCC International Holding Ltd. (CCCI).
“The Liberal government cited reasons of national security to stop the deal, but there is more than national security at stake with respect to this Chinese state-owned enterprise,” said Ms. May. “This company has a very troubling human rights, environmental, and safety record. China is an important trading partner but there are minimum standards that Canada cannot overlook.”
Ms. May was the first Member of Parliament to raise the issue of the proposed takeover of Aecon and its implications for the already controversial Site C dam construction project in British Columbia.
“British Columbians have been particularly concerned because Aecon holds 30 percent of the contracts to build the generating station at the Site C dam. That project remains an environmental and economic disaster in the making but at least we know that a construction partner with a terrible safety and human rights record is no longer in the mix.”
“This is not exactly a victory but certainly a lesser evil,” said Ms. May.
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Rod Leggett
Press Secretary
Rod.leggett@greenparty.ca
(613) 562-4916 x: 206