The Canadian government has confirmed that China executed an undisclosed number of Canadian citizens this year, marking a rare occurrence of Westerners facing capital punishment in the country.
Global Affairs Canada declined to specify the number of executions or reveal the identities of those involved. However, the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa stated that the executions were related to drug-related crimes, without providing further details. The embassy also emphasized that China does not recognize dual citizenship.
“Canada has repeatedly, at the highest levels, called for clemency and remains steadfast in its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere,” said Charlotte MacLeod, a spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada.
She added that the Canadian government is providing consular assistance to the families of those executed and urged the media to respect their privacy. Canada is still advocating for clemency for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian sentenced to death in China for drug smuggling.
China is believed to execute more prisoners annually than the rest of the world combined, although exact numbers remain a state secret. While executions have traditionally been carried out by firing squad, lethal injection has become more common in recent years.
Escalating Canada-China Tensions
The executions come amid rising tensions between China and Canada. Earlier this month, China imposed tariffs on certain Canadian food imports, following Canada’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products. These trade disputes have added to global economic tensions, as the U.S., China, Canada, and Mexico continue to increase trade restrictions.
According to former Canadian Ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, the executions signal that China is sending a message to Canada regarding its deteriorating diplomatic relationship.
China and Canada have had strained ties since 2018, when Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States. In response, China detained two Canadian citizens, a move widely criticized as hostage diplomacy. Although both men were released in 2021, tensions between the two nations have remained high.
