Conservative and Bloc MPs are urging an urgent convening of the House of Commons public safety committee to investigate allegations of espionage involving a former Canadian intern arrested in Belgium on suspicion of spying.
Expressing deep concern, Conservative MP Frank Caputo emphasized the need for a thorough examination of Canada’s national security screening procedures following the arrest of Biwei Zhang, who was an intern at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.
Although Belgian authorities did not disclose the intern’s identity, a CBC News report identified the individual as Zhang, a systems engineer with an economics background. Zhang’s online resume indicates past employment with the Canadian Space Agency and Statistics Canada.
Reports from security sources in Europe, including Reuters, suggest that Zhang drew suspicion for her behavior at SHAPE, including excessive curiosity about colleagues, unauthorized access to restricted areas, and viewing files beyond her professional scope in the IT Department.
Zhang is currently in custody in Belgium, with the allegations against her yet to be proven in court.
In response to these developments, Caputo stated that the committee will investigate how Zhang obtained the NATO internship, the extent of security screening conducted prior to her appointment, whether any concerns were raised by Canadian or allied authorities, and the adequacy of monitoring procedures.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has committed to examining Canada’s security screening processes and ensuring a thorough investigation to address the incident and prevent future occurrences.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that Canadian security agencies were not caught off guard by Zhang’s arrest, emphasizing the need to address any potential lapses in security protocols.