'Persona non grata:' Canada expelling Chinese diplomat after threats to Tory MP

The Liberal government is expelling Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei, whom Canada's spy agency alleged was involved in a plot to intimidate Conservative MP Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says in a statement that Canada has declared the Toronto-based diplomat as persona non grata, over what she calls "foreign interference in our internal affairs."

Joly, who warned last week that Beijing would retaliate if Ottawa did expel diplomats, says the decision followed "careful consideration of all factors at play."

She says that "defending our democracy is of the utmost importance," after saying China could threaten the safety of Canadians and the prosperity of the country.