Minister Says Review Ongoing as Tories Press for Answers on Alleged ‘Chinese Spy’ Case

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says several agencies are conducting internal investigations in response to a Canadian charged with espionage while working at a NATO base in Belgium, as Conservatives press the government for more answers.

“I don’t want to preempt and influence the investigation that’s taking place in Belgium. We are providing as much information as we can. Concurrently, we are doing an internal review,” Anandasangaree told MPs on the House of Commons national security committee on Oct. 5.

A Canadian woman of Chinese origin, who was serving at NATO’s military headquarters in Belgium, was arrested on July 24 on espionage charges. Belgium’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office said the woman was “suspected of spying on behalf of a third country and of being a member of a criminal organisation.” She worked at a number of Canadian government departments and organizations before going to Belgium to work for NATO.

Anandasangaree said days later that it was “important” to find out what had happened, but that he would not “speculate” on the case. Prime Minister Mark Carney said in early August that Canada had been involved in the investigation “from the start.”

The public safety minister told the committee on Oct. 5 that Canada’s security apparatus does a “comprehensive” job screening federal employees, with about 200,000 security-clearance applications processed annually. However, he acknowledged there are “gaps” in the system that need to be addressed. The government says about half a million people hold some form of security clearance.

Conservative MP Frank Caputo asked several times whether the Department of Public Safety had gotten to “the bottom” of the issue involving the alleged Belgian spy. Writing later that day on social media, Caputo said, “How did an alleged Chinese spy work for NATO on behalf of Canada? Conservatives are demanding answers.”

Anandasangaree said Belgium is leading the investigation and Canadian security officials are cooperating with their Belgian counterparts. He said he hoped the investigation would eventually provide answers.

When Conservative MP Rob Morrison asked which department was accountable for the security-screening issue, Anandasangaree said deputy department heads are responsible for granting security clearances, based in part on information from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP. He said the two agencies have submitted recommendations for reforms to his office, which he is reviewing.

Conservative MP Rhonda Kirkland called the incident a “major security breach” and argued that Anandasangaree, as public safety minister, was ultimately responsible.

“Without pointing to department heads and departments and what they’re doing, what are you doing?” she asked.

Anandasangaree replied that the matter is being investigated by Belgian authorities, which he said limits his ability “to say things publicly in an attempt not to in any way jeopardize that investigation.”

Treasury Board Secretariat and acting assistant Deputy Minister Adam Hatfield told the committee that applicants for base-level security clearance go through a variety of checks, including criminal-record and credit checks, with higher clearance levels involving more rigorous screening.