Huawei Technologies poses too big of a threat to Canada and should be banned from its 5G network, according to the vice-chairman of Rogers Communications. While Huawei is cheaper and sophisticated compared with other alternatives, its close relationship to the Chinese government is troubling, Philip Lind said, adding that the company would be obliged to do the government’s bidding. “The idea of Huawei controlling, or potentially controlling our communication system in Canada is crazy,” Lind said in a TV interview with BNN Bloomberg. “I don’t think they should be allowed to.” The Canadian government is still mulling whether to ban Huawei from its 5G telecommunications system due to potential security challenges. No deadline has been made on the ruling, though its Five Eyes intelligence allies remain divided on the issue. Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou thanks employees in rare comments since Vancouver arrest Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US Vice-President Mike Pence are expected to discuss Huawei in a meeting in Ottawa on Thursday. Canada, Britain and New Zealand are still deciding what to do about Huawei while Australia has banned the firm from 5G. In the US, President Donald Trump is moving to restrict Huawei from doing business with American companies. Huawei has repeatedly stated it is an independent company and that its technologies are secure. Executives have invited doubting parties to inspect their network and codes. For Lind, the facts surrounding Huawei’s threat to Canada’s communications are “pretty evident”. He referred to the arrest of the firm’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver last year, saying that the Chinese government’s deep interest in her release shows how close they are to the firm. Company analysts have predicted that a ban on Huawei from 5G core networks is likely, adding that it would pose little or no threat to existing carriers’ short-term spending plans. Rogers does not have Huawei in its 5G equipment, partnering with Ericsson AB instead. Trump and May to discuss Huawei during US president’s London visit Rogers competitors Telus and BCE do use Huawei equipment though they have not yet selected their 5G vendors. Telus came out in defence of Huawei earlier this year, saying that the Chinese equipment maker has been good for Canada and a ban could potentially add to 5G costs and delay its roll-out.