Canada Condemns China’s Execution of Four Citizens Amidst Diplomatic Strain

Ottawa denounces Beijing’s actions as tensions between the two nations escalate

Canada has strongly condemned China’s execution of four Canadian citizens on drug smuggling charges earlier this year, calling it a grave and unacceptable act. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed the executions on Wednesday, vowing that Ottawa would continue pushing for leniency in similar cases.

“There are four Canadians that have been executed, and therefore we are strongly condemning what happened,” Joly told reporters. She emphasized that the individuals, all dual citizens, had been convicted on drug-related offenses.

The revelation marks a sharp new low in Canada-China relations, which have remained tense since the 2018 arrest of Huawei’s Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver at the request of the United States. China retaliated at the time by arresting two Canadians, triggering a diplomatic standoff that ended only in 2021 with the release of all three individuals.

Despite speculation, Joly clarified that Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian sentenced to death in 2019 for drug smuggling, had not been executed. His case remains a focal point of Canada’s diplomatic efforts to prevent further use of capital punishment against its citizens in China.

A Growing Rift in Canada-China Relations

The latest development comes as the two nations clash over trade policies. Earlier this month, Beijing imposed tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, a move widely seen as retaliation for Ottawa’s previous levies on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.

In response to Canada’s condemnation, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa dismissed the remarks as “irresponsible,” stating that China maintains a zero-tolerance stance on drug-related crimes and enforces severe penalties accordingly. However, it did not confirm or deny the executions.

The executions are likely to fuel further diplomatic discord, with Ottawa facing growing pressure to take a firmer stance against Beijing’s policies. Canada, which abolished the death penalty in 1976, has consistently opposed capital punishment worldwide.

As tensions mount, the fate of other Canadians currently facing death sentences in China remains uncertain. Joly reaffirmed that the government will intensify its diplomatic efforts to secure leniency and uphold the rights of Canadian citizens abroad.