QUESTION PERIOD — Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Detention of Canadians in China
June 6, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Leader in the Senate, and it goes back to a number of questions I’ve had on this issue about the two illegally detained Canadians in China over the last few months. It is very concerning. The time is passing. We don’t seem to see any movement on the file. We have the Canadian Prime Minister who so far the only action he’s taken is to call out to the Trump administration and to our friends and allies around the world for help. I think that highlights the ineptitude of this government to take a strong stand and take a stand as Canadians against the Chinese and demand that these illegally detained Canadians are freed.
Now, around the corner we have a G20 Summit coming. Can we have the commitment of the government that Prime Minister Trudeau will make an attempt for a bilateral with the Chinese President and clearly state the Canadian position unequivocally and set guidelines and timelines and show some leadership on this issue?
Again, I thank the honourable senator for his question, I think. Let me reiterate that the Government of Canada takes this matter extraordinarily seriously. He will know that the Prime Minister has made exactly the commitment that he’s asked for with respect to the upcoming G20 Summit. This is a matter of great significance. There are Canadians at risk. I will be very careful in answering the question but want to assure the honourable senator and all Canadians that the Government of Canada is working publicly and otherwise to seek the release of the Canadians who are being held.
