Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you as well to the members of the committee for the opportunity to speak to you and answer some of your questions about the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. With me this evening is David Vigneault, who is well known to the committee. He is the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, or CSIS.

I was appointed deputy clerk of the Privy Council and national security and intelligence adviser to the Prime Minister on January 27. In my role, I coordinate the national security and intelligence organizations that perform critical analyses.

In August 2018, CSIS provided a briefing to officials of the national lab to help them better understand potential foreign interference or espionage, including how employees could be vulnerable to outside pressure.

Soon after, PHAC identified two employees at the national lab who might be at risk and flagged their concerns to CSIS. PHAC subsequently noticed certain irregularities in the two scientists' activities, which prompted PHAC to initiate an investigation that, in turn, uncovered additional reasons for concern.

As the two scientists' conduct became clearer through the investigation, PHAC took action, including seeking assistance from CSIS and referring matters to the RCMP for criminal investigation. Both employees were placed on leave and ultimately had their security clearances revoked, and in January 2021 their employment was terminated.

Important lessons were learned from this matter and security policies were improved accordingly. However, I think it is important to remember that PHAC was successful at detecting and removing a threat following awareness and vigilance and by executing a robust, thorough process supported by security partners.

Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory is world-renowned for its research excellence and the many contributions of its public health researchers.

The lab is a prime example of a rich culture of open and collaborative scientific research that Canada can be extremely proud of. It is precisely due to this reputation that, for some time now, Canada's security agencies have been warning about threats to Canada's scientific community.

The reasons for this are easy to understand. Innovation drives economic prosperity and technological advantage. Competition among states is focusing attention on the edges of science. New discoveries can be immensely beneficial or, unfortunately, can be used to do harm.

Canada produces world-class research in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, aerospace, quantum technology and the life sciences. Our innovations make us a target. The People's Republic of China is the most significant research security threat actor in Canada, given its targeting of academia, government and private sector institutions.

Just as with PRC's political interference and transnational repression activities, China uses a wide variety of methods to pursue advanced technologies.

As this committee is aware, China is not the only country of concern. For example, we saw strong indication that Russian hackers tried to steal COVID-19 vaccine research during the pandemic.

As has been mentioned by other witnesses, the Public Health Agency of Canada has learned many lessons from the situation at the national lab in Winnipeg, and security at the lab has been improved. As you know, I was also tasked by the Prime Minister to make recommendations related to the situation.

I've already started my review. In particular, I visited the laboratory on April 25. While there, I took the opportunity to ask questions of the researchers on site and learn directly from them. We discussed the sensitive nature of the work done at the lab and how security measures have been improved.

My goal is to identify the ways we can continue to strengthen our research security, but I will also be mindful of the need to avoid discouraging innovation or collaboration with onerous security requirements.

One thing is certain: Engagement between research organizations and security is critical for raising awareness and building resilience. For example, the new research security centre at Public Safety Canada is providing advice to institutions across the country on how to protect their research while pursuing their work responsibly in the modern geopolitical environment.

Canada's national security agencies are committed to protecting Canadian research.

We would now be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have.