After 653 days, the two Michaels — Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — remain interned in China with no end in sight.

This is a tragedy.

Furthermore, the passage of time is making the resolution of the matter more and more complicated.

At this time, Canada does not have sufficient leverage to negotiate a deal, and the US and other allies are unwilling to effectively support Canada.

How can we prevent such personal tragedies from reoccurring?

The best way is for Canada to arm itself with the legislation and systems required to identify and then carefully weigh the risks of getting involved in matters that are remote, part of a bigger struggle (e.g., diplomatic, business, technological) and which place Canadians interests and residents in jeopardy.

In hindsight, Canada would have been better off if authorities had been able to discreetly deny the Meg Wanzhou US extradition request.

According to China, this is what a number of countries did.