Liberals Replace Paul Chiang with Peter Yuen in Markham—Unionville: A Tale of Police Ties and Controversy

Retired Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief Peter Yuen

By Justin Heath

On April 6, 2025, the Liberal Party of Canada announced Peter Yuen, a retired Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief, as the replacement for Paul Chiang in the Markham—Unionville riding for the upcoming federal election scheduled for April 28, 2025. This last-minute switch, just one day before the candidate nomination deadline, has reignited debates about the party’s candidate selection process, particularly given the backgrounds of both individuals as former police officers and the swirling allegations of Yuen’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). As the Liberal Party scrambles to maintain its foothold in this battleground riding, the transition from Chiang to Yuen raises questions about strategy, integrity, and the influence of foreign entities in Canadian politics.

Paul Chiang’s Exit: A Bounty Blunder

Paul Chiang, the incumbent MP for Markham—Unionville since 2021, withdrew his candidacy on March 31, 2025, following a firestorm of controversy. In January 2025, Chiang, a former York Regional Police sergeant with 28 years of service, made remarks at a Chinese-language media event suggesting that Conservative candidate Joe Tay—a Canadian citizen targeted by Hong Kong’s National Security Law—could be turned over to the Chinese Consulate in Toronto for a HK$1 million bounty (approximately CAD$184,000). The comments, reported by Ming Pao, drew swift condemnation from opposition parties, human rights groups, and even the RCMP, which confirmed it was reviewing the matter for potential legal violations.

Chiang’s policing background was a cornerstone of his political identity. Having served as a diversity officer and risen to the rank of sergeant before retiring in 2020, he positioned himself as a community-focused candidate who flipped the riding from Conservative control in 2021 by a narrow margin of fewer than 2,500 votes. His supporters, including Liberal Leader Mark Carney, initially defended him, citing his decades of service as evidence of his integrity. However, the backlash proved too intense, and Chiang stepped aside, stating he did not want to distract from the party’s broader goals amid tensions with U.S. trade policies under President Donald Trump.

Peter Yuen Steps In: A New Candidate, Old Concerns

Enter Peter Yuen, a retired Toronto Police Deputy Chief with over 34 years of service, who was swiftly named Chiang’s replacement. Like Chiang, Yuen’s career in law enforcement is a significant part of his public persona. Immigrating from Hong Kong in 1975, he climbed the ranks of the Toronto Police Service, eventually leading its Diversity and Inclusion Unit before retiring in 2022. His experience made him an appealing choice for the Liberals in a riding with a substantial Chinese Canadian population, where community ties and policing credentials could resonate with voters rattled by Chiang’s exit.

However, Yuen’s nomination has not been without controversy. Critics have pointed to his alleged connections to organizations linked to the Chinese Communist Party, raising red flags about potential foreign influence. In August 2024, Yuen joined the board of NOIC Academy, a Markham-based international school flagged during Canada’s 2024 Foreign Interference Inquiry. Testimony at the Hogue Commission revealed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had identified irregularities involving NOIC students in the neighbouring Don Valley North riding during the 2019 election, including allegations of “veiled threats” from the Chinese Consulate to coerce votes. While no direct evidence ties Yuen to these activities, his association with the institution has fuelled speculation.

Further scrutiny has fallen on Yuen’s involvement with the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations (CTCCO). In 2017, he attended a gala hosted by the group, an entity known for its ties to Beijing’s United Front Work Department—a CCP arm tasked with extending influence abroad. Videos from the event show Yuen alongside community leaders who have attended high-level meetings in Beijing with President Xi Jinping, singing the patriotic song “My Chinese Heart.” Posts on X have highlighted these appearances, with some users labeling Yuen a “CCP sympathizer,” though such claims remain unproven and speculative.

Why Police Officers? A Strategic Choice

The selection of two former police officers for Markham—Unionville is no coincidence. The riding, located in the Greater Toronto Area, is a diverse, suburban battleground with a significant Chinese Canadian population—over 60% of residents identify as ethnic Chinese, according to the 2021 census. Policing backgrounds offer a narrative of public service, safety, and authority, qualities that can appeal to voters concerned about crime, community stability, and trust in governance. For Chiang, his tenure with York Regional Police bridged his Pakistani-Chinese heritage with local roots, while Yuen’s Hong Kong origins and senior rank in Toronto’s force position him as a figure of experience and diaspora connection.

This strategy also reflects the Liberals’ broader play to counter Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s law-and-order messaging. By fielding candidates with decades of policing experience, the party aims to neutralize criticisms of being soft on crime or national security—issues heightened by the foreign interference debate. Yet, this approach has backfired, as both candidates’ pasts have instead amplified concerns about their judgment and affiliations.

Alleged CCP Ties: Substance or Smear?

The allegations of Yuen’s ties to the CCP stem largely from his post-retirement activities. His role at NOIC Academy and appearances at CTCCO events have drawn attention from journalists and activists, particularly in light of Canada’s heightened scrutiny of Chinese interference following the 2019 and 2021 elections. The United Front Work Department, often described as Mao Zedong’s “magic weapon” for covert influence, has been accused of leveraging diaspora organizations to sway Canadian politics—a charge Beijing denies. Yuen’s presence at the 2017 gala, documented on the Toronto Chinese Consulate’s website, has been cited as evidence of his alignment with these efforts, though no concrete proof of his active participation in CCP directives has emerged.

Critics argue that Yuen’s associations, intentional or not, signal a troubling pattern within the Liberal Party, especially after Chiang’s remarks suggested a cavalier attitude toward Beijing’s transnational repression. Posts on X have speculated about a “Liberal-CCP pipeline,” with users pointing to Yuen’s replacement of Chiang as proof of deeper influence. However, these claims remain anecdotal, and Yuen has not publicly addressed the allegations as of April 8, 2025.

A Riding in the Spotlight

Markham—Unionville is now a lightning rod in the 2025 election, encapsulating broader tensions around foreign interference, diaspora politics, and candidate vetting. The Liberals’ rapid pivot to Yuen after Chiang’s exit—finalized just before the April 7 nomination deadline—underscores their determination to hold the riding against a resurgent Conservative challenge. Joe Tay, now running in Don Valley North, remains a vocal critic, framing the Liberals’ choices as a betrayal of Canadian sovereignty.

For voters, the shift from one police veteran to another offers both continuity and unease. Yuen’s credentials may reassure some, but the shadow of alleged CCP ties threatens to undermine the Liberals’ credibility in a campaign already fraught with questions about national security. As April 28 approaches, Markham—Unionville will test whether the party’s gamble on law enforcement pedigrees can outweigh the baggage of controversy.

Justin Heath

Justin Heath is a  freelance writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach him at justin.heath@veritasexpositae.com