Commons committee to hear witnesses on security concerns about microbiology lab
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/03/2024 (564 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
OTTAWA – A House of Commons committee plans to look into concerns about a high-security laboratory after two scientists lost their jobs over dealings with China.
The special committee on Canada-China relations has decided to hear various federal witnesses on the matter that has percolated for several years.
The National Microbiology Laboratory researchers were fired in early 2021 after their security clearances were revoked over questions about their loyalty and the potential for coercion by China.
A House of Commons committee plans to look into concerns about a high-security laboratory after two scientists lost their jobs over dealings with China.The National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg is shown in a Tuesday, May 19, 2009 photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Records tabled in Parliament last month say the scientists, Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, played down their collaborations with Chinese government agencies.
The RCMP recently said that a national security investigation into the matter, which began in May 2019, is ongoing.
The Mounties started the probe following a referral from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
After the records were released the Public Health Agency said it had taken steps to bolster lab security in response to the episode.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked his national security and intelligence adviser, Nathalie Drouin, to examine security measures at the lab “to ensure that they are sufficiently robust,” Privy Council Office spokesman Stéphane Shank said.
Drouin will work with the Public Health Agency and national security community partners to ensure the measures “are strong and implemented appropriately to safeguard Canada’s national security,” Shank added.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 26, 2024.
Related Articles
Scientists fired from Winnipeg lab over security fears rightly under probe: minister
Advertisement Advertise With Us