Amid detention of two men in China, Trudeau says feds will always stand up for Canadians abroad

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s prime minister is responding to the new developments in the dispute with China, after Chinese officials confirmed a second Canadian has been detained.

This comes as China ramps up its threats against this country, following the arrest of a high-level Chinese telecom executive in Vancouver almost two weeks ago.

As tensions keep building, Justin Trudeau said in a brief exchange with reporters that his government is still engaging with Chinese officials.

“We will always be standing up for Canadians in difficult situations abroad,” he said.

China has confirmed Entrepreneur Michael Spavor was detained on Monday along with Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave.

Despite earlier claims, the government has not been able to contact either man, and their current whereabouts and health are still unknown.

 

File Photo: Michael Spavor (Source: Twitter)

 

Parliamentary Secretary for Consular Affairs Pamela Goldsmith-Jones had earlier stated the government had established contact with Kovrig, however, the Minister’s office has since clarified that statement, saying she made a mistake.

Kovrig, who gave up diplomatic immunity when he took an unpaid leave of absence from Global Affairs Canada in late 2016, was detained on Monday.

There’s no word on his health or the status of the second Canadian detained, entrepreneur Michale Spavor.

When asked if the government should take further action after new threats from China or worse consequences, Liberal MPs say this is a sensitive matter, and that they need to take a calm and cautious approach.

“Not escalate this to the point of no return,” Liberal Wayne Easter said.

A Chinese broadcaster linked to the government has issued new threats saying if Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou is extradited to the U.S. there will be worse consequences.

The telecom giant’s chief financial officer was arrested at Vancouver International Airport on Dec. 1.