Talk to
Us Now
E M A I L bcb@canadawide.com
W E B S I T E BCBusiness.ca
T W I T T E R @BCBusiness
F A C E B O O K BCBusiness
I
n September, Mustel Group asked 600
B.C. residents how they felt the federal
government should deal with escalat-
ing political and economic tensions between
Canada and China. Three-quarters of respon-
dents felt that some form of action is needed,
with little difference of opinion between the
general population and business owners.
"The sentiment reflected in the survey is
likely the result of the amount of press this situ-
ation has received, starting with the arrest of
Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in December
2018," explains Mustel general manager Josh
O'Neill. "Since then, China has taken signifi-
cant retaliatory actions, including bans on key
Canadian exports. Even though British Colum-
bia has strong ties to the Chinese economy, it
doesn't come as a surprise to me that many
B.C. residents feel that our government should
take at least some measures to ensure that
Canadian business interests are protected." ■
Poll Positions
(
feedback
)
FEBRUARY 2020 BCBUSINESS 15
What measures do you think the Canadian government should take
to deal with the escalating political and economic tensions between
Canada and China?
PERCENTAGES DON'T TOTAL 100 BECAUSE SOME RESPONDENTS AGREED WITH MORE THAN ONE SUGGESTION
56%
Reduce reliance
on China as a
trading partner
54%
Limit Chinese
investment in Canada
and Canadian
companies
30%
Stop or limit
the implementation
of 5G technology
21%
Introduce bans or
tariffs on certain
Chinese-made
goods
13%
Nothing. The
situation will resolve
itself eventually
11.6%
Don't know
Vancouver
#501 – 777 West Broadway
604-872-0222
Coquitlam
#250 – 1175 Johnson Street
604-936-8244
www.bcperio.ca