13.61°C Vancouver

Aug 10, 2021 4:49 PM -

O'Toole warns Canadians not safe in China after court upholds death sentence

Share On
otoole-warns-canadians-not-safe-in-china-after-court-upholds-death-sentence
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole takes questions from the media during a press conference in St. John's on Monday, July 26, 2021. O'Toole is accusing Beijing of using the death penalty for political purposes after a Chinese court upheld a Canadian's death sentence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is accusing Beijing of using the death penalty for political purposes after a Chinese court upheld a Canadian's death sentence.

O'Toole is also reopening the door to a Canadian boycott of next year's Winter Olympics in China, warning the Chinese government's recent actions show Canadians are not safe in the country.

O'Toole was commenting after the Higher People's Court of Liaoning Province rejected Canadian Robert Schellenberg's appeal after his sentence in a drug case was increased to the death penalty in 2019.

That coincided with the Chinese government's efforts to pressure Canada into releasing Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou after she was detained in Vancouver on U.S. fraud charges.

China has also arrested and tried two other Canadians, entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, on spying charges in apparent retaliation for Meng's detention.

A Chinese court is expected to release its verdict in Spavor's case on Wednesday as a Canadian court hears arguments on whether Meng should be handed over to U.S. authorities.

Latest news

woman-robbed-in-vancouvers-marpole-area-police-seek-witnesses
BCSep 01, 2026

Woman Robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole Area, Police Seek Witnesses

A woman was robbed in Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood, and police are asking witnesses to come forward as the investigation continues. According to police, the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on August 27. The woman was walking along the west lane of the 8600-block of Granville Street near Southwest Marine Drive when a suspect allegedly punched her in the face, stole her purse and fled the scene. Police searched the surrounding area but were unable to locate the suspect. The victim’s phone was later recovered nearby. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene for injuries to her nose.
mysterious-floating-island-spotted-on-b-c-s-williston-lake-boaters-warned-to-stay-away
BCSep 01, 2026

Mysterious Floating Island Spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake, Boaters Warned to Stay Away

A mysterious floating island spotted on B.C.’s Williston Lake has prompted authorities to issue a warning to boaters. According to BC Hydro spokesperson Bob Gammer, the floating island is about one hectare in size and is covered entirely with trees and lush vegetation. It was first spotted by satellite in mid-August but later suddenly disappeared. The island was spotted again on Monday, and appears to have travelled about 30 kilometres from its previous location over the past two weeks. Gammer believes the formation is not solid land, but rather a highly unstable mass of tree roots, logs and
relief-for-surrey-residents-no-new-extortion-or-shooting-cases-reported-in-august
BCSep 01, 2026

Relief for Surrey Residents: No New Extortion or Shooting Cases Reported in August

Surrey residents and business owners have received some encouraging news, with the Surrey Police Service (SPS) reporting that no new extortion threats or extortion-related shootings were recorded in the city throughout August. According to the latest update from SPS, the improvement is being attributed to ongoing joint efforts involving police, local businesses and the wider community. Police say these collaborative efforts are now producing positive results on the ground. SPS emphasized, however, that officers continue to actively investigate previous extortion cases, pursue legal action and
BCSep 01, 2026

B.C. Government Announces Nearly 1,200 New Child-Care Spaces Across 22 School Districts

The British Columbia government has announced plans to create nearly 1,200 new licensed before-and-after-school child-care spaces across 22 school districts, including Surrey. Under the initiative, Peace Arch Elementary and Theresa Clarke Elementary in the Surrey School District will each receive 24 new child-care spaces. B.C. Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare said the time before and after school can be particularly challenging for parents who are balancing work and family responsibilities. Having child care available directly within school grounds will provide families with con
AlbertaSep 01, 2026

Nearly 400 Alberta Specialist Doctors Show Interest in New Dual-Practice Surgery Model

Nearly 400 specialist doctors in Alberta have expressed interest in participating in the province’s new dual-practice system, which will allow physicians to work within the public health-care system while also providing private services for selected surgeries, including hip and knee replacements. Although the legislation enabling the model is now in place, the office of Surgical Services Minister Adriana LaGrange said doctors must complete a formal application process before any private surgeries can begin. The first dual-practice surgeries are expected to take place this fall, following a r

Related News