The Canadian government can intervene to end Meng's extradition trial. Should it?

While seasonedjurists saythe Canadian government has every legal right tointervene to free Huawei executive Meng Wanzhoufrom her extradition trial to the U.S., some experts warnsuch an actioncould have significant politicalramifications.

"The question isn't whether the [Canadian government] can, the question is whether they should," said Toronto-based lawyer Brian Greenspan.

In 1999, theExtradition Act was amendedto include a specific provision that provides the federal minister of justice the power to intervene in an extradition at any point duringthe judicial phase.

"Theminister has the right to withdraw the authority to proceedand to end the extradition proceeding, and it's totally at the discretion of the minister of justice," Greenspan said.

WATCH |Chinese Foreign Ministry comments on CBC interview with Michael Kovrig's wife

Chinese Foreign Ministry comments on CBC interview with Michael Kovrig's wife

4 years ago

Duration 3:06

Zhao Lijian said China supports a move that would stop the extradition of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou

Extradition proceedings continue in the case against Meng, who was arrested in 2018 in Vancouver on behalf of American justice officials.The United States wants to prosecute Meng for fraud, alleging she lied to banks about her company's connections with Iran, which could possibly violate U.S. sanctions.

The issue of the Canadian governmentintervening in the case ofMeng,the daughter of the Chinese technology giant's founder, was raised recently by the wife ofMichael Kovrig, one of two Canadians being held in China on charges of spying.

The Trudeau government has accused China of detaining Kovrig and Michael Spavor in retaliation for the arrest of Meng. Some have suggested Canada could secure their freedom if it put an end to the extradition proceedings against Meng and allowed her to return to China.

Trudeau has said his government continues to work behind the scenes to secure the release of the two Canadiansbut has ruled out a prisoner exchange.

Still in custody

The Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, David Lametti,said in a statement Tuesday they are"well aware of the laws and processes governing" the extradition proceedings.

"As Ms. Meng's case remains before the courts, and the Minister of Justice has a direct role in the extradition process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on this matter," the statement said.

WATCH | Canada can stop Meng Wanzhou's extradition, legal experts say. Should it?

Canada can stop Meng Wanzhous extradition, legal experts say, but should it?

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Duration 4:38

Canadian legal experts Louise Arbour and Brian Greenspan say the federal government has the authority to intervene in Meng Wanzhous extradition process, but whats less clear is whether it should and what intervening could mean for the detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

Former Supreme Court of Canada justice JohnMajorsaid while Lametti can intervene at any time in the extradition process, it would be unusual especially ifaftera prolonged court hearing, itconcluded in favour of extradition.

But Major noted there may be reasons to do it, especially as Kovrig and Spavor languish in Chinese detention.

"I would hope before the attorney general intervenes, [he]would have reasons that convince Canadians he should," Major told CBC News.

"The attorney general has to be very cautious in overruling a trial judge who has conducted a full hearing You just want [Lametti] to act judiciously, not politically."

'Be very cautious'

Major saidCanada is stuck in a difficult position, becauseif the attorney general quashes the judge's decision in Meng's case, the U.S. could react. Likewise, if the judge approvesextradition, China could retaliate.

"It's a delicate situation where you have the U.S. at odds with China and Canada being caught in the middle," Major said.

Donald Abelson, director of St. Francis Xavier University'sBrian Mulroney Institute of Government, said he believes it would be "a very dangerous game for Canada to play in terms of succumbing to pressure"to intervene politically in the case.

"I don't think that's a game that we want to play," saidAbelson, who was also a founding director of the Canada-U.S. Institute. "It puts us in a very, very precarious position because we don't want to be seen by the Americans as succumbing to Chinese political pressure."

Abelson said Canada would be "tempting fate" with the U.S,particularly in the current political climate, where the Chinese government has becomethe focus of Donald Trump's ire in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic and the countries' trade war.

Abelson said Canada doesn't want to become a "punching bag" for Washington.

WATCH | Wife of Michael Kovrigsays Canada can choose to end the extradition process:

Michael Kovrigs wife on fighting for his freedom: exclusive interview

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Michael Kovrigs wife (though separated) Vina Nadjibulla speaks for the first time in an exclusive interview with Adrienne Arsenault about his detention, Canadas diplomacy and her fears for the future. Nadjibulla also shares letters Kovrig has sent during his 560 days in a Chinese prison.

Diplomatic gloves come off

David Carment, aa professor at Carleton University's Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, said he believes Canada's intervention would prompt the Trump administration to use it as a rallying cry to undermine Trudeau's leadership andhis pursuit for a majority government when he calls an election.

"I think allsort of diplomatic gloves would come off in this case. The United States would come out fighting and work to undermine this current government's mandate," he said.

Christopher Sands,director of theCentre for Canadian Studies atJohns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said that the state department officials who brought the case forward against Meng would be unhappy with Canada's decision to intervene.

Trump would likely be angry,send off a dismissive tweet or give Trudeau the cold shoulder at the next G7 meeting.But Sandsdoesn't believe it would result in major policy ramificationsagainst Canada.

"Would it be 'Canadiansare no longer allowed to cross the border?'No. The relationship between us and Canadais too big and complex for that," he said. "I can't see any lasting damage."