Canada imposes catch-all definition of “espionage” as part of bellicose anti-China furor | MR Online
Canada imposes catch-all definition of “espionage” as part of bellicose anti-China furor | MR Online
In a decision with far-reaching implications for democratic rights, a Federal Court has endorsed the Canadian government’s imposition of a sweeping new definition of espionage.
The immigration officer’s decision and the court ruling upholding it were unencumbered by any concrete evidence inculpating Li as a spy looking to steal secrets for military purposes.
Rather, they were based solely on the assertion that he could potentially become one in the future—a claim that was in turn based entirely on his nationality, area of study, previous university affiliation and sweeping unsupported claims about the prevalence of Chinese spying.
Li’s prospective thesis supervisor at Waterloo, Dr. Carolyn Ren, submitted a letter that was used as evidence before the court. In it, she detailed the fact that the laboratory at the University of Waterloo was dedicated to medical research that did not have any military application whatsoever. She also noted that the laboratory has not, and never will, engage in military research.
Chinese Exclusion Act coming back already. It's really the roaring 20s all over again.
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