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Public Safety

Question period dealt with the case of a Canadian-linked spy arrested in Belgium who had worked at NATO and previously obtained a Canadian security clearance. The Conservatives said Canada failed to catch the person despite a Public Service Commission finding of fraud in a past CBSA application, accused the minister of covering up the failure, and asked him to identify which country the spy worked for. The minister, Gary Anandasangaree, said he shared the member’s outrage, that Canadian agencies are co-operating with Belgium’s ongoing investigation, and that it would be inappropriate to comment further or draw conclusions while the investigation is active.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Eric Duncan

Conservative
“A spy working at NATO got Canadian security clearance even after committing fraud to get a border job. Belgium had to catch her because Canada did not. I want the minister to explain why he is covering up this failure.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the public safety minister’s statements about the Liberals’ failure to catch a Canadian-linked spy at NATO lack any credibility. Three years ago, the Public Service Commission found the spy had committed fraud by applying at CBSA under two different names and emails, failing to clarify why she submitted multiple applications. It was Belgium, not Canada, that caught this spy. How embarrassing. The basic facts of this case show just how incredible it was that this spy was still able to get the necessary Canadian security clearances. The Liberals failed to keep Canadians safe. Why is the minister covering up for this Liberal incompetence?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“I share the member's anger. Our police and security agencies work with partners around the world to stop threats, like the recent arrest in Belgium. Because this is an active investigation, we should not guess about the details. We will keep working to protect Canadians.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I share the member opposite’s outrage in this regard. Canada’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies maintain strong partnerships with their domestic and international counterparts to identify, investigate and respond to threats, including incidents such as the arrest made in Belgium. This is an active investigation. It would be inappropriate of me and the member opposite to speculate. We will continue to work to protect Canadians and Canadian interests with our partners at home and abroad.

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Eric Duncan

Conservative
“The minister will not answer basic questions about this spy, and that hurts our security and our allies' trust. I want the minister to tell us which country the spy was working for.”

  • Opposition question in Question Period

    Respect 89 of 100

    This statement targeted a person rather than their actions or views: “The biggest gap is in the minister's credibility”.

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the minister has talked about there being gaps. The biggest gap is in the minister’s credibility. The more he talks, the worse it gets. For months, the minister promised to “get to the bottom of what happened”, yet he cannot even answer basic questions. This majorly embarrassing failure compromises Canadian security and, critically, the trust of our allies. The Liberals will not even confirm media and source reports that it was a spy working for the CCP in Beijing. What are the Liberals hiding? Can they answer the basic question of which country this spy was working for, or are they too worried about upsetting Beijing?

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Gary Anandasangaree

Liberal
“Belgium is investigating this matter, and Canadian police and security officials are helping them. We should not jump to conclusions before the investigation is done.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, it is obvious that the member opposite does not understand how due process works. The Belgian officials are currently investigating this matter. We are co-operating in every way we can, including the RCMP and CSIS. It would be inappropriate for the House to opine and come to conclusions without the full benefit of all the facts that are available.

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