Conservative and Bloc MPs are urging an urgent assembly of the House of Commons public safety committee to investigate allegations of espionage against a former Canadian intern detained in Belgium on suspicion of spying. Conservative MP Frank Caputo expressed serious concerns about the accusations, emphasizing the need to assess potential flaws in Canada’s security screening procedures that could jeopardize national security and alliances.
The intern in question, Biwei Zhang, worked at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. While Belgian authorities did not disclose her identity, a CBC News investigation identified Zhang as a systems engineer with an economics background who had previously worked for the Canadian Space Agency and Statistics Canada.
Reports from security sources in Europe, including Reuters, suggest that Zhang exhibited suspicious behavior at SHAPE, such as showing excessive curiosity about colleagues, entering unauthorized areas, and accessing files beyond her role in the IT Department. Zhang is currently detained in Belgium, with unproven allegations against her.
In response to the situation, Caputo announced that the committee will examine how Zhang obtained the internship at NATO, the extent of security screening conducted prior to her appointment, any red flags raised by Canadian or allied authorities, and the adequacy of monitoring procedures. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has pledged to investigate Canada’s security screening protocols and address any issues uncovered in the process.
The case has prompted discussions about enhancing Canada’s security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, with Prime Minister Mark Carney indicating that Canadian security officials were actively involved in the investigation from the outset.