OTTAWA — Canada is reviewing its security-screening system after a Canadian national arrested in Belgium on espionage charges was previously granted security clearance by Global Affairs Canada.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told the House of Commons public safety and national security committee on October 5 that the screening system performs well overall but has gaps that need to be addressed. The committee is examining how the NATO intern obtained clearance before her arrest in Belgium.
The woman, a Canadian national of Chinese origin, was arrested in July after Belgian authorities opened an espionage investigation at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons. Belgian prosecutors have accused her of spying for a third country and participating in a criminal organisation. The investigation remains active and the suspect is in pretrial detention in Belgium.
Canadian officials have said they are cooperating with Belgian authorities while avoiding detailed comments that could interfere with the criminal case. The minister also said Canadian security officials had monitored the situation before the arrest became public and believed there was no immediate public risk.
How the screening process is being questioned
The parliamentary review has focused on why the suspect received a federal security clearance despite a 2023 finding by Canada’s Public Service Commission that she had committed fraud during an application process for a Canada Border Services Agency position.
Anandasangaree said deputy department heads are responsible for granting security clearances, using information that can come from agencies including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP. He said both agencies have provided recommendations for reforms and that he is reviewing them.
Officials told MPs that Canada processes roughly 200,000 security-screening applications each year. Basic screening can include criminal-record and credit checks as well as reviews of public online activity, while higher levels of clearance involve more extensive scrutiny.
Why the NATO case matters
The case has renewed attention on Canada’s ability to identify risks before people are placed in sensitive government, defence or international-security roles. NATO internships can involve access to sensitive information, making the effectiveness of clearance procedures particularly important.
The review also comes as Canada faces a broader national-security environment in which foreign intelligence services increasingly use recruitment and online approaches to seek privileged information. Canada’s intelligence service has previously warned that people working in defence, foreign affairs, security and related sectors can be targeted.
The committee is expected to continue examining the screening system, including how information is shared between departments and security agencies and how judgment calls are made when an applicant’s record raises concerns.
Source notes: This report is based on Canadian Press coverage of the October 5 parliamentary committee hearing, reporting from Reuters on the July NATO arrest, and Canadian government security guidance.
File photo: Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. Photo by Jason Hafso via Unsplash.
