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Jun 19, 2020 10:32 PM -

Deputy PM Freeland says securing the release of two Canadians, a foreign policy priority

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Chrystia Freeland arrives for a news conference on Parliament Hill amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says securing the release of two Canadians facing spying charges in China isn't just another consular issue.

She calls it a foreign policy priority for the Trudeau government.

Freeland today also demanded that China reinstate consular access for both Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls word of the charges disappointing.

He says Canada is doing everything it can both publicly and in back channels to put pressure on China to release the two men who've been held since December of 2018.


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