Paul Chiang announced his departure hours after Canada’s federal police confirmed it was “looking into” allegations Chiang had endorsed turning a political rival over to China for a bounty reward.

Paul Chiang announced his resignation as the Liberal candidate in Markham–Unionville hours after the RCMP confirmed it was investigating allegations that he had endorsed handing a political rival to a foreign government in exchange for a bounty. Chiang cited the importance of avoiding distractions during Canada’s critical 2025 election.

The controversy surrounding Chiang stemmed from remarks he made at a January news conference to Chinese-language journalists, where he suggested that rival Conservative candidate Joe Tay, wanted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law, could be “taken” to the Chinese Consulate in Toronto to claim a HK$1 million bounty. This prompted a formal request from UK-based NGO Hong Kong Watch for a criminal investigation, alleging Chiang’s comments could amount to “counselling to commit kidnapping” under Canada’s Criminal Code and violate the Foreign Interference and Security of Information Act. [See: PM Carney’s Candidate Paul Chiang Steps Down After RCMP Confirms Probe Into “Bounty” Comments]

The RCMP confirmed it was “looking into the matter,” citing the serious threat of foreign interference and transnational repression. Chiang did not directly reference the controversy in his resignation statement but expressed pride in his record and gratitude to his community.

The move came after 40 pro-democracy groups and human rights monitors from Canada, Hong Kong, Australia and the U.K. called for Chiang’s resignation. Joe Tay, the Conservative candidate targeted in the remarks, had sought personal protection from the RCMP even before the comments were made public. Despite previously apologizing for his “terrible lapse in judgment,” Chiang had retained Prime Minister Mark Carney’s backing until his resignation. A move that has been critiqued as a “missed opportunity” for Carney to demonstrate that, under his leadership, the Liberal Party is charting a different course on the threat of foreign interference in Canada’s democratic processes.

In the wake of Chiang’s resignation, the Globe and Mail called out Carney’s refusal to remove the incumbent MP as confirmation of the Liberal Party placing self-interest ahead of the country’s:

“Mr. Carney’s calculations were clearly tinged by partisan interests in the race in Markham-Unionville, a riding that was held by the Conservatives after the 2015 and 2019 elections and only came back to the Liberals in 2021 in a tight race. Risking a riding in Toronto or anywhere else in order to take a stand against foreign interference has never been a Liberal concern.” [See: Mark Carney’s Missed Opportunity]

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