The director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) says no one can provide “100 percent clarity” on whether there are any Chinese agents on the federal government’s payroll.
David Vigneault made the comments while testifying at the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (CACN) on April 15, telling MPs there was “a relentless effort by the People’s Republic of China” to infiltrate Canadian institutions.
“They are using all methods to be able to acquire technology, know-how and data,” Mr. Vigneault said, which was first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter.
“From that point of view, I am not sure anyone can provide a level of 100 percent clarity on this. From the Canadian Security Intelligence Services’ point of view in terms of transparency, we are absolutely focused on the issue.”
The committee is currently analyzing why two Chinese Canadian scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg were given top security clearances. The two, who are a couple, were escorted out of the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg on July 5, 2019, amid an RCMP investigation and subsequently fired on Jan. 20, 2021.
When Conservative MP Michael Cooper asked if there were scientists employed by the Canadian government involved in CCP recruitment programs, Mr. Vigneault said investigations were ongoing and he couldn’t say more.
Related Stories
“I cannot confirm the specifics of our investigations but I understand the concerns raised by Mr. Cooper and I share the issue about the threat this represents,” he said.
“How can you reassure Canadians that there are no further People’s Republic of China-based scientists who are part of talent or recruitment programs working at government labs in Canada?” asked Conservative MP Stephen Ellis.
“By definition these approaches are covert,” replied Mr. Vigneault.
The CSIS director said China was attempting to “obfuscate” its approach to hide its operations.
“The more we talk about it, the more the People’s Republic of China is adapting its methods. The fact is this is a cat and mouse game,” he said.
Conservative MP Michael Chong said he calculated that there were 1,021 laboratory scientists working for the Canadian government. Mr. Chong questioned Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who later testified before the committee, on what security precautions were in place.
“Have you established any priorities, any initiatives relating to a review of general application to ensure we don’t have other government employees clandestinely and corruptly engaging in espionage or foreign interference activities in the Government of Canada?” asked Mr. Chong.
“Yes, obviously,” replied Mr. LeBlanc.
Bloc Québécois MP René Villemure questioned whether federal managers had been naïve in their dealings with China. Mr. LeBlanc replied that “Western countries have seen their relationships evolve,” with the country.
“When it comes to foreign interference, we don’t have the impression this is going to disappear any time soon,” said Mr. LeBlanc. “I have no idea what China’s plans are.”
English (US) · 
Turkish (TR) · 