Public Safety Minister acknowledges flaws in security clearance after NATO intern arrest

At a public safety committee session, Minister Gary Anandasangaree conceded that Canada’s security-clearance regime has “gaps,” despite an overall strong record of roughly 200,000 annual screenings. The admission came after Belgian authorities charged Biwei Zhang, a Canadian woman of Chinese origin who had interned at NATO’s SHAPE headquarters, with spying for a foreign power. MPs from the Conservative and Bloc Québécois parties lambasted the case as a blemish on Canada’s reputation and pointed to alleged fraud in Zhang’s past applications to the CBSA.

Officials from CSIS, the RCMP and the Treasury Board Secretariat confirmed they are examining their own processes, with the public safety department recently adding a mandatory internet inquiry for high-level clearances. Deputy minister Richard Bilodeau and Treasury Board’s Adam Hatfield highlighted the need for better data sharing and faster, more consistent reviews. Anandasangaree promised “serious learnings” once the Canadian and Belgian investigations conclude.