Ottawa condemns China for executing Canadians

China's embassy in Ottawa is confirming that Beijing executed Canadian citizens earlier this year.

It's not clear how many Canadians were executed, although the Canadian government says they did not include Abbotsford, B.C. native Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was sentenced to death for drug smuggling by a Chinese court in 2019.

In a media statement, the Chinese embassy says the death penalty cases involving Canadian nationals were based on "solid and sufficient" evidence, adding Beijing has "zero tolerance" for drug crime.

Global Affairs Canada says it "repeatedly called for clemency for these individuals at the senior-most levels" and has reached out to the families of those executed.

The department says it "strongly condemns China's use of the death penalty," adding that it violates "basic human dignity."

Beijing responded by saying that Canada should "respect the rule of law and China’s judicial sovereignty" and "stop making irresponsible remarks."

The Globe and Mail first reported on the executions Wednesday morning.