Sep 27, 2021
By Jane Brown
The Two Michaels are home, but their ordeal will likely have long lasting implications on this country’s relationship with China.
Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor arrived back in Canada very early Saturday morning after well over 1000 days imprisoned in China.
The pair was greeted in the dark and hugged by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the tarmac at Calgary International Airport.
Kristen Hillman is Canada’s ambassador to the United States and says at almost the same time Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou reached a deal in a U.S. court, a decision was made about the Two Michaels.
“The Chinese government made its decision, and its decision was that it was no longer in its interest to continue holding the Michaels. And so they started the process in talking to our officials in Beijing about making arrangements to have the Michaels leave,” Hillman explained.
The two Canadians were accompanied on their trip back to the country by Dominic Barton, Canada’s ambassador to China.
Former Canadian Ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, says it will be “impossible” for Canada to return to normal with China.
He says a lot has been learned in the past three years about the dark side of China and trust is gone. He adds it will take years before it can be rebuilt. Saint-Jacques also notes what happened with Mr. Kovrig and Mr. Spavor was clearly hostage taking in retaliation for Meng Wanzhou’s arrest and detention in Vancouver.
Listen for comprehensive coverage of the Canada China story on Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer Monday at 12:30.
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