Federal Court Affirms China’s Overseas Agency in Canada Engaged in Espionage

A judge dismissed the appeal of a Chinese couple who had applied for permanent residency in Canada due to the husband’s former employment with the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, on Jan. 19, 2022. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

A federal court judge has affirmed that an overseas agency of China is involved in acts of espionage that go against Canada’s interests.

In a ruling on Jan. 19, Justice Vanessa Rochester wrote that there are enough grounds to believe that the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (OCAO) has engaged in espionage activities that are “contrary to Canada’s interest.”