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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
By The Canadian Press

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

Aug 13, 2026 | 12:25 PM

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, said MPs need to discuss the “serious questions” the case raises about “Canada’s national security screening processes.”

“The public safety minister has said that he will investigate Canada’s security screening processes and ‘get to the bottom of what happened.’ Canadians deserve to know what happened, and Parliament has a responsibility to demand those answers,” Caputo said in a media statement.

“This is not about partisan politics. It is about protecting Canadians, safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining the trust of our NATO allies.”

The suspect, described as a Canadian national of Chinese origin, faces charges related to espionage and participation in a criminal organization after she was arrested last month.

The suspect worked as an intern at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.

Belgium’s federal prosecutor said the intern is suspected of spying on behalf of a third country.

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

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

A RCMP spokesperson previously told The Canadian Press the Mounties will continue to offer support to their international law enforcement partners.

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 the matter.

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

— with files from Jim Bronskill.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press