Conservative and Bloc MPs are urging an urgent session of the House of Commons public safety committee to investigate allegations of espionage involving a former Canadian intern apprehended by Belgian authorities on suspicion of spying. Frank Caputo, a Conservative MP, expressed serious concerns about the situation, emphasizing the need to assess potential security gaps in Canada’s screening processes that could jeopardize national security and alliances.
The individual in question, Biwei Zhang, served as an intern at NATO’s SHAPE in Mons, Belgium. While Belgian officials have not disclosed her identity, a CBC News investigation revealed her as Zhang, a systems engineer with an economic background. Zhang’s professional history includes roles at the Canadian Space Agency and Statistics Canada.
Reports from European security sources, including Reuters, suggest that Zhang’s behavior at SHAPE raised suspicions, as she allegedly displayed excessive curiosity towards colleagues, accessed unauthorized areas, and handled files beyond her designated responsibilities in the IT Department. Presently, Zhang is under detention in Belgium, with the allegations against her awaiting court proceedings.
In response to these developments, Caputo announced that the committee will scrutinize Zhang’s internship approval process at NATO, the extent of security screening conducted prior to her appointment, any alerts raised by Canadian or allied entities, and the adequacy of monitoring protocols. The Public Safety Minister has committed to investigating the security screening procedures in place and ensuring accountability for the incident.
The case has sparked concerns regarding Canada’s security protocols, prompting assurances from officials to prevent similar incidents in the future. Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that Canadian security authorities were actively involved in handling the situation from the outset.