The future of Canada’s Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor remains uncertain

Michael Kovrig, left, a former Canadian diplomat, and entrepreneur Michael Spavor, right, were detained by the Chinese government in December, 2018, in response to Canada's arrest of Meng Wanzhou.

Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, and entrepreneur Michael Spavor were detained by the Chinese government in December, 2018, days after the detention of Ms.

Meng by Canadian officials at the request of the United States government, which is seeking her extradition.

Shortly after, the Chinese government terminated consular access, citing the risk of transmitting the novel coronavirus, although access by telephone and video-conference has been prohibited as well.

Meng in Canada, Chinese authorities are widely expected to proceed with those charges, locking the men into a formal judicial process in a country with a conviction rate in excess of 99 per cent.

The Chinese government’s decision to strip Hong Kong of its protected status and allegations that the coronavirus pandemic was made worse through Chinese secretiveness have made the Chinese government less popular with Canadians by the day.

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