TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Canadian lawmakers have renewed calls for Taiwan’s inclusion in the International Civil Aviation Organization, with Conservative MP Michael Cooper urging the body to stop appeasing China and invite Taiwan to its upcoming assembly in Montreal.

Cooper delivered a statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, condemning Taiwan’s exclusion from ICAO, per CNA. “It is time for ICAO to stop placating the Beijing dictatorship, put global aviation safety first, and invite Taiwan to participate in the assembly,” he said.

Liberal MP Judy Sgro, chair of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, also voiced support for Taipei’s participation during the House of Commons’ second day back in session. On Sept. 22, she and Cooper will co-host a press conference in Ottawa to back Taiwan’s inclusion in ICAO’s 42nd Assembly.

Cooper has long been recognized for his pro-Taiwan speeches. Taiwan’s representative office in Canada shared a CPAC video of his statement, thanking him for standing up for Taiwan in the House of Commons.

“As the 42nd ICAO Assembly sets to convene in Montreal, Canada’s democratic ally, Taiwan continues to be excluded from ICAO,” Cooper said. “Taiwan's exclusion is about one thing and one thing only — bending to Beijing's bullying, and it has to stop here.”

He added, “Taiwan is the 11th-largest aviation market in the world and serves as a vital global hub. Excluding one of the largest and most responsible airspace managers creates a dangerous gap that undermines global aviation safety, and, frankly, makes a mockery of ICAO’s stated mission.”

The ICAO Assembly is held every three years, with the upcoming session scheduled for Sept. 23–Oct. 3. Taiwan has not received an invitation but will send the Taiwan ICAO Action Team to Montreal to make its case directly to national delegations.