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He points to Huawei’s $650-million investment in research and development in Canada since 2009, with major labs in Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, Ont., Montreal and Vancouver, as well as plans for one in Quebec City.

“In every country where we have a business presence, we’re committed to complying with the applicable laws and regulations, and Canada is no different,” Howes said. “So we will continue to be compliant, as we have been over the decade that we’ve been here, with Canadian laws and regulations.”

Ottawa is carrying out a comprehensive review of Huawei’s potential role in 5G that includes a broader, strategic look at how the technology can foster economic growth.

Given the scope of the review, several agencies — namely Public Safety Canada, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Communications Security Establishment, Global Affairs, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development — are taking part.

“We will ensure that our networks are kept secure and will take the appropriate decisions in due course,” said Scott Bardsley, a spokesman for Public Safety Minister Bill Blair.

The government has been tight-lipped about the exercise, but the results are expected relatively soon.

“We respect the process, and we just hope that it’s going to be based on technology and security, not politics,” Howes said.

However, the public debate has already been tinged by political developments.

Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, a senior Huawei executive, in December 2018 at the request of the United States, where she is wanted over allegations of violating sanctions on Iran. Her extradition case is before a Canadian court.