Ottawa, Canada — China executed four Canadian citizens in recent months, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced Wednesday, a rare move that has deepened the rift between the two nations. Such executions of Western nationals by China are uncommon and have sparked outrage in Ottawa.
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Joly revealed that she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had personally sought clemency for the four individuals, all dual Canadian-Chinese citizens facing drug-related charges. Beijing, which does not recognize dual citizenship, proceeded with the executions despite these appeals. “We strongly condemn the executions,” Joly told reporters in Ottawa. “I asked personally for leniency … They were all dual citizens.” She noted that Canada consistently advocates for clemency in death penalty cases involving its citizens abroad but declined to disclose the identities of the executed individuals at the request of their families.
A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Ottawa defended the executions, stating, “China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes. The facts of the crimes committed by the Canadian nationals involved in the cases are clear, and the evidence is solid and sufficient.” The spokesperson emphasized that the rights of those executed were “fully guaranteed” and called on Canada to “stop making irresponsible remarks” about Beijing’s judicial sovereignty. China is believed to execute more people annually than the rest of the world combined, though exact figures remain a closely guarded state secret. Traditionally carried out by gunshot, executions in China have increasingly shifted to lethal injection in recent years, though the method used in these cases was not specified.
Global Affairs Canada spokeswoman Charlotte MacLeod reiterated the government’s opposition to the death penalty, calling it “irreversible and inconsistent with human dignity.” She confirmed that consular assistance is being provided to the families, who have asked the media to respect their privacy. MacLeod also noted that Ottawa continues to advocate for clemency for Robert Schellenberg, another Canadian sentenced to death in 2019 for drug smuggling, who was not among those executed.
The executions come amid heightened tensions between Canada and China, fueled by recent trade disputes and a history of diplomatic friction. Earlier this month, China imposed retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food imports, following Canada’s October decision to levy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products. These tit-for-tat measures echo broader global trade tensions involving the United States, China, and Mexico. “China is sending us a message that we have to take steps if we want to see an improvement in the relationship,” said Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian ambassador to China.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from Canadian officials and observers. Opposition Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong called the executions “unprecedented,” arguing that “executing a number of Canadians in short order is clearly a sign that Beijing has no intention of improving relations with Canada.” Ian Brodie, former chief of staff to ex-Prime Minister Stephen Harper, remarked on social media, “It turns out agricultural tariffs weren’t the worst part of the PRC response to EV tariffs.”
Canada-China relations have been strained since 2018, when Canadian authorities arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States on fraud charges. Shortly after, China detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in what was widely seen as retaliatory “hostage politics.” The two were released in 2021, the same day Meng returned to China after a deal with U.S. authorities. Despite China being Canada’s second-largest trading partner, bilateral ties remain fraught.
Human rights groups have also weighed in. Ketty Nivyabandi, head of Amnesty International Canada, described the executions as “shocking and inhumane,” urging Canada to reassess its approach to Beijing. For now, the executions stand as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Canada in navigating its relationship with an increasingly assertive China.
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