Candiac resident denies Chinese espionage while working for Hydro-Québec

tomtidgewellNovember 24, 2022

Yuesheng Wang said during his bail hearing in Longueuil that the emails he sent to his personal address were “open source” and “had already been made public.”

According to the RCMP, Yuesheng Wang’s investigation began in August 2022 after receiving a complaint from Hydro-Québec’s corporate security department. LinkedIn

Yuesheng Wang, who was accused of spying for China while working for Hydro-Québec, denied he had done anything wrong at a bail hearing on Thursday.

In response to questions from defense attorney Gary Martin, the 35-year-old Kandiak resident said he did not send any information that could be considered confidential.

Wang said he sent the email to his personal email address from a computer he used while working for Hydro-Québec, but claimed the document was “open source.”

“It’s open source — it’s already public. Anyone can see it,” said Wang, who had difficulty testifying in English in Longueuil courts and often sought help from translators.

Federal prosecutor Marc Cigana asked Wang if he knew that he was not authorized to use his Hydro-Québec email address to send information to personal addresses.

“Nobody said it wasn’t allowed,” said the king.

Cigana asked if Wang knew that he wasn’t allowed to take pictures of his lab at Hydro-Québec. Wang said he “doesn’t know” how many photos he took with his cell phone. He said he took the pictures to show his colleagues that there are safety hazards in his lab.

“I want to clear my name. When asked, Wang said.

Mr Wang said he felt he had done nothing wrong and wanted to release the information he got from the bail hearing.

Martin did not seek a standard ban on the evidence heard at the hearing, as it is rare for persons accused of crimes in Canada to comment on evidence during bail hearings.

Defense counsel asked Wang if he was a member of any Canadian group other than the hiking group to which he belonged.

“Usually I just work from home and go hiking,” he said.

Wang has been in custody since his arrest on November 14 following an investigation by the RCMP.

He has been charged with unauthorized use of computers.

On Thursday, Martin reiterated his request that the handcuffs the king was required to wear and his leg restraints be removed during his bail hearing.

“This is not very Canadian,” Martin told the judge.

The judge agreed to the request and the jailer removed the king’s handcuffs.

In a statement, the RCMP said: The investigation was “launched in August 2022 following a complaint by Hydro-Québec’s corporate security department. Wang allegedly obtained information that he accessed while on duty.”

He is alleged to have done this to “harm Canada’s economic interests,” according to the RCMP.

This story will be updated.

pcherry@postmedia.com