David Morrison, senior adviser to the prime minister, told MPs that a government-wide registry of security-clearance information could strengthen Canada’s national security screening process.
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David Morrison, the prime minister’s senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser, told MPs that a government-wide registry of security-clearance information is one way to strengthen Canada’s national security screening process.
Morrison told the House of Commons public safety and national security committee during hearings on the screening process that followed the arrest of a Canadian NATO intern on espionage allegations.
A federal source not authorized to speak publicly about the issue has said officials in Canada were proceeding on the basis that the suspect is Biwei Zhang, also known as Claire Zhang, who was previously employed by Canadian government agencies.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told the committee that the woman arrested in Belgium had received a security clearance from Global Affairs Canada, despite court records indicating that in 2023 the Public Service Commission found Zhang committed fraud in an appointment process for a position with the Canada Border Services Agency.
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