“Always with a new government, there will be maybe a temptation for ministers to think that ‘I can be the one to crack the China problem and reset relations,’” said Kovrig in the interview. “I think that’s going to get a cold shower. It’s not feasible.” Instead, he emphasized the need for ongoing communication with senior Chinese officials to address disputes through diplomatic channels and avoid escalations.
Kovrig, who was detained in China for over 1,000 days from 2018 to 2021 alongside fellow Canadian Michael Spavor, said he believes Canada’s diplomatic and intelligence communities are aware of the ongoing risks. He also stressed the importance of bolstering national defence and economic security, including increased military spending and strengthening Canada’s defence-industrial base.
The relationship between Canada and China has deteriorated sharply since 2018, following the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the request of the United States. In apparent retaliation, Chinese authorities detained Kovrig and Spavor on espionage charges, which both men denied. The diplomatic standoff lasted nearly three years and strained relations between Ottawa and Beijing.
The federal public inquiry into foreign interference, released in January, concluded that China remains the most active and sophisticated threat to Canadian democratic institutions. The report identified China as a high-priority actor in cyberattacks and political interference and reinforced the need for a unified government strategy.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has echoed those concerns, calling China one of Canada’s most serious foreign interference threats, particularly in the Arctic and cyberspace. Kovrig agreed, saying the new government must prepare for “a much harsher geopolitical environment.” He called for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to China that ensures no gaps in strategy can be exploited. “China is the primary driver of that shift,” he said.
Meanwhile, China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, recently told Question Period on CTV that both countries should be able to move beyond what he described as “normal” diplomatic differences. Speaking through a translator, Wang said the two nations must “seek common ground while reserving differences in a constructive way.”
Kovrig was skeptical of the ambassador’s remarks, noting that China’s domestic economic challenges and the impact of escalating U.S. tariffs likely motivated the timing of the message. “He’s looking to wedge Canada away from the United States,” Kovrig explained. “This is a campaign that the Chinese are waging all around the world, so it’s not just Canada.”
When asked what message Canadians should take away from the growing tensions, Kovrig said China is actively working to reshape the global order. “They want to rewrite the international order,” he said. “Not enough people are sufficiently aware of the risks. There’s a huge gap between what experts know and what the public understands.”
Kovrig concluded by stressing that time is running out for Canada to close that gap and develop a coherent response to China’s evolving global strategy.
