Three days after the National Post article questioned why Global Affairs would use a Chinese company to provide such sensitive equipment, the department scrambled to get its security specialists to review the deal. Those experts concluded that the Chinese X-ray machines could “provide numerous opportunities for attack,” including being modified to covertly collect information and images at the embassies.
As criticism mounted over the deal, Global Affairs Canada spent $250,000 to have consulting firm Deloitte look at the procurement system that led to the arrangement with Nuctech.
The Deloitte consultants determined that “security subject matter experts are not typically included in the procurement planning process.” They also recommended that process be changed as having such specialists involved “increases the likelihood that security requirements will be identified in a more timely manner.” In addition, Deloitte recommended that the department take more notice of security considerations when it came to buying equipment.
The documents, provided to the House of Commons government operations committee, reveal a stunning lack of common sense by federal bureaucrats in dealing with a country that has a track record of spying on Canada and other nations, Conservative MP Kelly McCauley says.
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