Conservative and Bloc MPs have requested an urgent session of the House of Commons public safety committee to investigate espionage accusations against a former Canadian intern who was detained by Belgian authorities for suspected espionage.
Expressing deep concern, Conservative MP Frank Caputo emphasized the need for Parliament to assess potential deficiencies in Canada’s security screening procedures. The individual in question, Biwei Zhang, had interned at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.
While Belgian officials did not disclose her identity, a CBC News investigation identified Zhang as a systems engineer with an economics background who had previously worked at the Canadian Space Agency and Statistics Canada. Reports from European security sources indicated that Zhang’s behavior had raised suspicions within NATO, including displaying excessive curiosity towards colleagues, unauthorized access to restricted areas, and handling files beyond her designated role in SHAPE’s IT Department.
Zhang is currently under detention in Belgium, though no formal charges have been brought against her. The committee, led by Caputo, aims to examine the internship approval process at NATO, the extent of security screenings conducted prior to granting access, any alerts raised by Canadian or allied authorities, and the adequacy of monitoring measures.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has pledged a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure transparency and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Prime Minister Mark Carney has also indicated that Canadian security agencies were actively engaged prior to the intern’s arrest, addressing concerns about the efficacy of Canada’s security protocols.