The Dalian Intermediate People's Court in northeastern China said Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was given a death sentence based on the nature and severity of his crime and in accordance with the Chinese criminal code.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the ruling, which comes as relations have strained between the two countries following the arrest of a senior executive from the Chinese tech firm Huawei in Vancouver last month.
According to the court, Schellenberg was dispatched to Dalian by drug traffickers in November 2014 to orchestrate the smuggling of more than 222 kilograms (489.4 pounds) of methamphetamine from the Chinese port city to Australia.
Schellenberg and an accomplice bought tools and tires in an attempt to repackage the drugs before shipping them out in containers, according to the prosecution.
The Canadian was said to have inspected the cargo, assessed the workload and decided on a shipping date. After his accomplice turned himself into the police, Schellenberg fled Dalian and was arrested in southern China on December 1, 2014, when he tried to fly to Thailand, the court said.
"I am not a drug smuggler. I came to China as a tourist," Schellenberg said Monday before the verdict was announced,
the AFP news agency reported. The court said Schellenberg is entitled to appeal his verdict and sentencing within 10 days. The court added that his rights to defense and translation were protected during the trial and officials from the Canadian embassy were in attendance.
Schellenberg's uncle told CNN the family was in shock over the ruling.
"We don't know how much to talk about right now and what to say. We are all very heartbroken right now and we are all in shock. We are just overwhelmed," Gary Schellenberg told CNN by phone.
Schellenberg went on to say the family is in close contact with Global Affairs Canada but have not had any contact with his nephew.
The Schellenberg family released a statement Monday asking the Canadian government to protect its citizens.
"The Schellenberg family cares deeply about our Robert who is being held under very difficult circumstances in China," the statement read. "As a family we are communicating with our Member of Parliament, Mr. Ed Fast, who is working hard on our behalf to ensure that the Trudeau Government makes every effort to secure fair treatment for Robert.
"The Schellenberg family requests that all Canadians stand with us and pray for the safe return of our loved one."
