Decision on Huawei role in 5G network won’t be influenced by China’s threats: Goodale

SHERBROOKE, Que. — Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the government’s decision on whether to ban Huawei technology from being used in Canada’s next generation 5G wireless network will not be influenced by threats of retaliation from China.

“To stand our ground on the basis of what is right for Canada — what makes this country strong, healthy, and successful,” he says.

China’s ambassador to Canada said Thursday there would be repercussions for Canada if it decides to ban Huawei from participating in 5G in Canada.

Goodale says similar threats were issued to Australia, which has banned Huawei from involvement in its 5G network.

The United States is pushing Canada to do the same, warning that the Chinese government could use Huawei technology built into other countries’ networks to conduct espionage or cyberattacks.

The Trudeau government is currently conducting a review of the technical and national security issues related to Huawei’s potential involvement in development of the 5G network but Goodale can’t say when it might be completed.

His comments come as Canada’s ambassador to China says it’s not time for the prime minister to step in, following a closed-door meeting with the Federal Foreign Affairs Committee.

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