As Canada’s political establishment increasingly embraces Cold War-style rhetoric toward China, Alex Tyrrell, leader of the Green Party of Quebec, is choosing a different path — one rooted in diplomacy, understanding, and environmental cooperation. This week, Tyrrell is traveling to China on a six-day visit organized by the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, where he will meet with foreign ministry officials, tour high-tech green infrastructure projects, and explore the country’s approach to sustainable development.
Speaking on the Talking Foreign Policy podcast with host Yves Engler, Tyrrell described the journey as an opportunity to “build some bridges” and directly counter what he called “mainstream hysteria” surrounding Chinese influence in Canada.
“In less than 24 hours, I’m going to be taking off for Beijing,” he said. “We’re going to have a tour of some high-tech facilities, look at environmental issues, conservation projects, and also meet with officials from the foreign ministry to hear their point of view on Canada-China relations.”
Tyrrell’s trip comes amid an intense wave of anti-China sentiment in Canadian politics, stoked by sensational media coverage and controversial legislation such as the new foreign agents registry. He warned that these developments risk marginalizing Chinese Canadians and distorting public understanding of Canada’s place in global affairs.
“The mainstream media has been continuously vilifying Chinese Canadians, the Chinese Communist Party, and the Chinese government,” Tyrrell explained. “It’s important to push back on this anti-China narrative. Canada has gone from having a very pro-China policy to a very, very negative relationship with the People’s Republic of China.”
Tyrrell referenced his recent interview with Senator Yuen Pau Woo, who cautioned that the foreign agent registry law could have a chilling effect on Chinese Canadian political participation. Tyrrell called the bill “preoccupying” and noted that it “could potentially go as far as jailing people in Canada for participating in elections” due to vague language about associations with foreign entities.
More broadly, Tyrrell argued that Canada has become a vehicle for U.S. geopolitical objectives, particularly in efforts to “contain China’s rise” through military posturing.
“What is Canada doing on the other side of the world sailing boats and challenging airspace in the Taiwan Strait?” he asked. “It’s an aggressive move. It’s a provocation. China hasn’t been in a major military conflict for over four decades, while Canada has bombed Libya, invaded Afghanistan, and supported proxy wars from Ukraine to Yemen.”
He contrasted China’s global posture with its domestic accomplishments, particularly in green technology and poverty alleviation. “They’re pumping out small electric vehicles for something like $15,000 Canadian. They’ve developed massive expertise in solar panel manufacturing, while Canada slapped a 100% tariff on both solar panels and electric vehicles coming from China — just to please Joe Biden.”
Tyrrell also described Canada’s role in the global energy transition as increasingly self-defeating. “We are slowing down our own energy transition to put pressure on China — it’s absurd.”
Asked about the broader goals of his trip, Tyrrell was clear: “I didn’t want to let the anti-China narrative impact my decision as to whether to go or not.”
He emphasized that his intention is not to romanticize or excuse the Chinese government, but to engage critically, curiously, and constructively.
“I don’t have a holistic impression of what it’s like in the countryside or everywhere in China. But they’ve done a lot to lift people out of poverty. It’s an affordable place for average people to work and live. And we have to ask — what can Canada learn from that?”
Tyrrell also didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Green Party of Canada, describing their foreign policy platform as “a complete disaster” and accusing co-leader Jonathan Pedneault of promoting “a fear-based campaign” to justify increased military spending.
“Pedneault presents himself as a human rights defender, but he’s done work in places where the West was looking to destabilize local governments — Libya, Ukraine, Venezuela. The federal Greens are preparing Canada for military conflict, and their stance toward China is deeply troubling.”
He added that both Green MPs voted in favor of the foreign agent registry and even proposed delaying the election to pass more “foreign interference” laws.
Tyrrell concluded by underscoring the importance of resisting fear-driven narratives and prioritizing diplomacy in global affairs.
“We have to be very vigilant. Anybody who’s trying to talk you into supporting war, confrontation, or hating people from another country — you have to question that very deeply.”
Tyrrell will document his visit and share insights from his meetings with Chinese officials and environmental innovators. He expressed hope that the trip will generate conversation not only about Canada-China relations but about Canada’s entire approach to global engagement.
“We need a Canada that stands for peace — not a Canada that goes around trying to start wars with other countries.”
