Federal Court Judge Bars Chinese Student Due to Espionage Concerns

The court noted hostile state actors are increasingly using non-traditional methods to obtain sensitive information in Canada that hurt the country’s interests.

A University of Waterloo sign is seen at the main campus entrance in Waterloo, Ontario, on Oct. 17, 2020. Shutterstock

A broad definition of “espionage” must be applied to protect Canada’s interests as hostile states use non-conventional tactics, a Federal Court judge ruled in dismissing the application of a Chinese student who wanted to attend a Canadian university.

In a Dec. 22 decision, Chief Justice Paul Crampton ruled that an immigration officer was right in finding Yuekang Li inadmissible to Canada due to espionage concerns.