Goodale says Canada will intervene in man’s death sentence

Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the government will do whatever it can to preserve the life of a Canadian citizen sentenced to death in China over a drug smuggling conviction.

“By all possible consular and diplomatic means, the Government of Canada will be intervening in every way that is open to us to defend the life of this Canadian,” Goodale said.

“The sentencing of Mr. (Robert) Schellenberg in such an arbitrary fashion is of very profound concern and obviously taking that into account, Global Affairs thought was prudent to issue the necessary travel advisory to make sure Canadians are properly and fully informed of what they need to know to keep themselves safe.”

Goodale was speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon after making a speech at the University of Regina about national security.

His speech covered Bill C-59, the country’s new counter-terrorism law, cyber security, combating radicalism and protecting the integrity of the 2019 federal election from foreign influence.

Regarding the election, Goodale said the government has passed Bill C-76, which will amend the Canada Elections Act. One of the measures under the law would be to ban third parties from using foreign funds.

As well, Goodale said the government will soon unveil proposals that will raise Canadians’ awareness of fake news and disinformation.

“It’s all fair game for Canadian political parties to wrestle with each other and have some of the fiercest arguments they can have. But when it’s being manipulated by some foreign capital, Canadians need to know,” he said.