Hydro-Québec worker charged with trade secret theft
The researcher worked on the development of battery materials | Hydro-Québec considered as ‘critical infrastructure’ by Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
A worker at government-owned electricity company Hydro-Québec has been charged with allegedly obtaining trade secrets to benefit China.
The man served as a researcher at Hydro-Québec’s Center of Excellence in Transportation Electrification and Energy Storage, which is dedicated to research and development in the field of battery materials.
On Monday, 14 November, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that it had begun an investigation in August after receiving a complaint from Hydro-Québec's corporate security branch.
In a statement, Hydro-Québec said it had terminated the employee’s access as soon as suspicions arose. His employment was finally terminated for serious violations to the company’s code of ethics.
Dominic Roy, senior director responsible for corporate security at Hydro-Québec, said: “Our detection and intervention mechanisms allowed our investigators to bring this matter to the attention of the RCMP, with whom we have worked closely ever since.
“No organisation is safe from a situation like this one, which is why we must always remain vigilant and transparent, and we must not tolerate violations of the company’s code of ethics.”
The individual is facing four charges under the Security of Information Act and the Criminal Code of Canada: obtaining trade secrets, unauthorised use of computer, fraud for obtaining trade secrets, and breach of trust by public officer.
“Foreign actor interference is a priority for many law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world,” added the police.
“Hydro-Québec is considered a critical infrastructure and a strategic interest to be protected. The RCMP and its partners are working together with at-risk sectors to improve Canada's response and resiliency to this threat.”
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