Following espionage allegations against a Canadian former intern arrested by Belgian authorities, Conservative and Bloc MPs are urging an emergency meeting of the House of Commons public safety committee for an investigation. Conservative MP Frank Caputo expressed concerns about potential gaps in Canada’s security screening system that may have jeopardized national security and allies. The intern, identified as Biwei Zhang, previously worked at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium and had affiliations with the Canadian Space Agency and Statistics Canada.
Reports suggest that Zhang displayed suspicious behavior, including unauthorized access to restricted areas and files beyond her role in the IT Department at SHAPE. She is currently detained in Belgium, with the allegations against her yet to be proven in court. The public safety committee aims to scrutinize how Zhang obtained the internship, the adequacy of security screenings, and any red flags raised by authorities.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has pledged to investigate the incident thoroughly to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that Canadian security officials were aware of the situation before the arrest. The case has prompted a reevaluation of Canada’s security protocols to address potential vulnerabilities.