Ed Fast calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to intervene with China regarding Robert Schellenberg’s death sentence.

Ottawa, ON –

Today, Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, the Hon. Ed Fast responded to troubling news that Robert Lloyd Schellenberg of Abbotsford has been sentenced to death by the Chinese government.“Mr. Schellenberg was originally detained in 2014 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking in November of 2018,” noted MP Fast. “Mr. Schellenberg appealed his sentence and China changed his sentence to the death penalty. It appears that the Government of China may be politicizing this case in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.”Since the December 1st arrest of Ms. Wanzhou, Canada has been subject to retaliatory detentions by the Chinese government. Dozens of Canadians have been detained on administrative grounds or had their visas questioned.“The Government of Canada needs to outline what steps they are taking to ensure the safety of this Canadian citizen so he does not lose his life over a diplomatic dispute,” said Fast. “I am calling on the Prime Minister to immediately intervene to protect this man’s life and provide certainty for Canadians in China.”