Canada

Conservatives, Bloc push for probe into Canadian NATO intern's espionage case

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CTV News has identified the Canadian intern accused of working for a third nation as part of a criminal organization. Judy Trinh reports.

OTTAWA — Conservative and Bloc Québécois members of the House of Commons public safety and national security committee are calling for an emergency meeting to discuss spying allegations involving a former Canadian NATO intern in Belgium.

Frank Caputo, the Conservative public safety critic, says MPs need to discuss the “serious questions” the case raises about “Canada’s national security screening processes.”

The suspect is described as a Canadian national of Chinese origin and faces charges related to espionage and participation in a criminal organization.

The suspect is being held by Belgian authorities on pretrial detention but is appealing this decision.

The NATO logo is illuminated beside the stage during a ceremony celebrating NATO's 75th anniversary, in Washington, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The NATO logo is illuminated beside the stage during a ceremony celebrating NATO's 75th anniversary, in Washington, Tuesday, July 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office has said it does not disclose the identities of suspects in ongoing investigations, citing the presumption of innocence.

The Conservatives and Bloc have a combined five votes on the national security committee and the Liberals hold six, giving the governing party a majority say over whether the committee will investigate this matter.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2026

With files from Jim Bronskill

David Baxter, The Canadian Press