In the wake of the global economic crisis of the 2008-2009 China has been increasingly capturing the interest of the advanced market economies as a trade and investment partner. For its part, China’s leadership is insisting on the country’s openness for all kinds of economic exchanges and cooperation. The article analyzes the dynamics of relations between Canada and China over the past few years. The main part of the analysis is focused on the “Chinese policy” of the Canadian government formed by the Liberal party in November 2015. The author looks at the positions and actions of those who support and those who oppose the conclusion of a formal free trade agreement between Canada and China. The concluding part contains the author’s observations on the possible internal and external causes of a certain degree of inconsistency in the “Chinese policy” of the Canadian government.