A trial is scheduled to begin today for a former employee of Quebec’s electricity utility who is charged with economic espionage for the benefit of China.

Yuesheng Wang was charged in November 2022 and was the first person to be charged with economic espionage under Canada’s Security of Information Act.

The RCMP’s national security enforcement team began investigating in August 2022 after they received a complaint from Hydro-Québec’s corporate security branch.

Wang also faces three charges under the Criminal Code for fraudulent use of a computer, fraudulently obtaining a trade secret and breach of trust.

In April 2024, Wang was arraigned on new charges of committing preparatory acts on behalf of a foreign entity and informing that entity — the People’s Republic of China — of his intent

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