A former federal scientist, Dennis Lu, has been charged with unauthorized computer use and breach of trust related to an alleged foreign interference case involving China.

Retired from Natural Resources Canada, Lu is accused of copying over 2,000 documents from a shared departmental server during his leave of absence in 2023, allegedly intending to share them with Chinese entities.The charges stem from allegations that his devices contained evidence of questionable affiliations with Chinese companies and academic institutions.While there is no direct proof Lu shared the documents, Crown prosecutors argue his actions constituted intent to compromise national security.CSIS had previously flagged concerns about Lu’s activities as far back as 2000, leading to an internal investigation in 2023.

The case highlights tensions between national security protocols and employee privacy expectations, with Lu’s defense team arguing the department acted as an extension of law enforcement.His trial is scheduled for January 2025 in Ottawa’s Superior Court.The incident underscores broader concerns about foreign interference and data security in Canadian government operations.