[dmix]

Sure but don't act like it's just some run-of-the-mill legal process without significant political implications for Canada and their citizens, which are most certainly balanced and considered beforehand. I doubt it's an automatic process merely because a treaty exists.

[Kalium]

You're right! It's by no means some run-of-the-mill legal process without significant political implications.

It's a run-of-the-mill legal process that the Chinese government has decided should have significant political implications for Canada and Canadian citizens. It's important to bear in mind that this was a set of decisions deliberately chosen by the government of China in response to Canada obeying its obligations clearly laid out in a readily available treaty.

As you so wisely and correctly note, no legal process is automatic. Yet routine extraditions, even of politically sensitive people, come quite close.

[ben509]

A treaty means it's a matter of law in both countries. It may not be automatic, but if they don't follow the laws they promised to uphold, they risk voiding the treaty.