Conservatives ask why Canada’s ambassador to China not present during 2 Michaels trials in Beijing

Conservative MP Candice Bergen asked during question period on Monday if the reason why Canada’s ambassador to China didn’t attend the Chinese trials of detainees, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, was because Canada is “sending $40 million to the Chinese Infrastructure Bank.” Minister of Foreign Affairs Marc Garneau said he “rejects” the premise of the question, calling it “unusual,” saying the release of the two Michaels is the government’s “number one priority.”