'Nothing held back' as Canadian delegation raises detainee issue in China

The Canadian delegation in Shanghai has begun to push for the release of detainees MichaelKovrigand MichaelSpavor, but the senator heading the trip says he doesn't know if any progress has beenmade.

"The gist of the message is that the executive branch of Canada has asked for their immediate release," Sen. Joseph Daysaid after a Monday meeting with Chinese officials.

His comments come as the delegation's trip faces criticism for not putting the plight of MichaelKovrig,a former Canadian diplomat and an adviser with the International Crisis Group, and entrepreneur MichaelSpavoron the official agenda.

The discussion about the detainees beganafter Chinese officials in the meetingdemanded to know why Canada was holding Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer for Huawei Technologies, on an extradition request from the U.S.,the CBC'sSaaPetricicreported.

Kovrigand Spavorwere detainedin China in December, shortly after Canadian officials arrested Mengin Vancouver. She was later granted bail and is now awaiting court proceedings in Canada on her extradition.

"[The Chinese officials] feel that there is politics involved in this and I assured them that there would be no politics influencing the judges in Canada," Day said.

The fact the plight of Kovrig and Spavorwasn't on the parliamentary delegation's official agendawas criticized by one of Canada's former ambassadors to China as "completely wrong-headed."

David Mulroney, ambassador from 2009 to 2012, had said he was astounded and concerned to hear that the issue of Kovrig's and Spavor's detentions werenot specifically on theitinerary for themission hosted by the Canada-China Legislative Association.

Before departing for China on Friday,Day had said the men's detentions are "not on our agenda, but it may well come up." He said the delegatesand Global Affairs Canada saweye to eye on the benefits of the trip.

"The Chinese, I've learned through my many years involved in Canada-China relations, they build on long term-relationships. Mutual understanding and mutual benefit comes after we get to know one another," Day told CBC News before his flight departed.

Mulroney, now a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs out of the University of Toronto, said China wants Canada to believe that it's important not to say or do anything that will upset the long-term relationship.

"That's completely wrong-headed ... What we have essentially is a Canadian delegation using China's talking points," he said.

"At a time when we should be saying, 'It's not business as usual. The most important thing for us is to secure the freedom of these two people who have been wrongly detained.' We're saying, 'Well, you know there are these embarrassments that come up every now and then but we have to stay focused on the long-term relationship."

Members of the delegation said the trip's itinerary (mainly meetings with policy-makers, legislators and local citizens' organizations) was set weeks ago, but it comes amidst flared tension between Ottawa and Beijing.

For weeks, Canada has called for theimmediate release of Spavor and Kovrig, and referred to their detentions as "arbitrary."

ButChina's top prosecutor said late last week he had "no doubt" the two Canadians had violated Chinese law. China has been arguing that both men are suspected of engaging in activities that undermined national security.

Thinks trip should have been deferred

Day said Chinese legislators from theCanada-China Legislative Association paid Canada a visit a few weeks ago and the delegation isnow returning the favour.

Mulroney said he thinks the trip should have been deferred based on the tone so far.

"To suggest somehow this is about parliamentary process and the rule of law, at a time when China is so manifestly ignoring the rule of law, is also not just confusing but harmful.

"While we shouldn't pound the table, we should send people who are focused really clearly on Canadian objectives and are going to advance those objectives as a priority with steely discipline in the private meetings."

Michael Cooper, one of the MPsmakingthe trip to China, told CBC News on Sunday that itwas initially meant to be an opportunity to talk with local officials, non-governmental organizationsand businesses about the bilateral relationship. But Cooper also saidthe detention of Spavor and Kovrig means "this is not an ordinary parliamentary delegation any longer."

"The elephant in the room, so to speak, is the arbitrary detention of these two Canadians."

Another former Canadian ambassador to China said he thinks it's good the delegation went ahead with the trip to China, but agreedthe parliamentarians should be forceful in raising Canada's concerns.

'It's a question of values'

"They may not agree, but at the same time, I think the delegation has to impress that we won't be able to continue to have normal relations until this has been resolved," said Guy Saint-Jacques, who was posted between 2012 to 2016.

"We are at the stage where, in fact, we have to think creatively about how we can pass messages."

"Let's remember it's a question of values and Canada is a country governed by the rule of law, so this is an opportunity to repeat to the Chinese that we have no choice but to abide by the terms of the extradition treaty that we have with the United States."

Along with Day and Cooper,MPs GengTan,MajidJowhariand ChandraAryaare on the trip.

Last month, federal Tourism MinisterMlanieJolyput off a trip toBeijing afterCanada and China agreed to postpone a ceremony marking the end of their joint year of tourism.

TheCanada-China Year of Tourism 2018was developed asa partnership to promote travel between the two countries. Jolyhad planned to be in Beijingfor theclosing ceremonyset forDec. 17 to 20.

Tense timing for Canada-China meetings

6 years ago

Duration 3:47

Canadian parliamentarians are heading to China to discuss trade, but the issue of two Canadians detained will likely bring more tension to the negotiating table.