OTTAWA – A parliamentary committee in Canada has decided to conduct hearings concerning the nation's security screening procedures in light of a recent espionage case involving a Canadian NATO intern. The situation gained significant attention following the arrest of a Canadian national, reportedly of Chinese descent, on espionage charges while she worked at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.
During a recent meeting, the House of Commons public safety and national security committee confirmed plans to invite Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, alongside other witnesses, to testify regarding the security protocols. The committee aims to hold at least three meetings on this pressing issue, although specific dates for these gatherings have not yet been established.
Conservative MP Dane Lloyd, who initiated the motion for the hearings, emphasized the need for Canadians and Canada’s allies to feel confident in the integrity of national security operations. The proposal received support from both Bloc Québécois and Liberal MPs, with Bloc MP Sébastien Lemire describing the topic as "an important issue, a very sensitive topic."
The Belgian federal prosecutor's office disclosed on July 25 that a "Canadian national of Chinese origin" had been apprehended under accusations of espionage and involvement in a criminal organization. Although the prosecutor's office has not officially named the suspect, Canadian federal sources, not authorized to speak publicly, have indicated that the individual is likely Biwei Zhang, also known as Claire Zhang. Reports suggest that she had prior employment with various Canadian government agencies.
Following the arrest, several media outlets, including the European publication Follow the Money, identified the intern as Claire Z. Zhang started her responsibilities in Mons in July 2025, working in the IT department of NATO’s headquarters. Media reports highlight her previous internship at the European Space Agency's research center in Italy and her work with the World Trade Organization in Switzerland, alongside various roles in Canadian government organizations.
A representative from the World Trade Organization confirmed that Claire Zhang had a brief internship there in 2023. Additionally, a LinkedIn profile attributed to "Claire Z," which aligns with the suspect’s background, states that she holds a bachelor's degree in applied economics from York University, as well as a master’s degree in computer science and systems engineering from the University of Ottawa.
The profile outlined her professional experiences, listing positions at the Canadian Space Agency as a systems engineer, at Statistics Canada as an economist, and at the National Research Council as a data scientist. Inquiries made by The Canadian Press to these federal agencies received uniform responses, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue while respecting the integrity of the ongoing investigation conducted by Belgium's Federal Police.
Officials reiterated, "We take this matter very seriously. However, to respect the integrity of the investigation... we will not confirm specific details about the individual’s identity at this time." They committed to collaborating with domestic and international partners to safeguard national security and maintain the investigation's integrity.
Additionally, court records have revealed that the Public Service Commission of Canada found Zhang committed fraud during the appointment process for a position with the Canada Border Services Agency in 2023. Following this determination, her application for judicial review was dismissed by the Federal Court in the subsequent year. During the investigation, Zhang submitted a letter of apology concerning her actions.
