Chinese Spies in Canada?

Apparently the Chinese diplomat who recently defected to Australia claims China's largest spy network is in Canada:

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/06/15/spies050615.html

Having had some experience in China proper, I believe this; intrigue is an integral part of the Chinese (PRC) scene. And I find Canadians frighteningly naive about this.

A few quotes from the article:

"How says Canada has more spies operating in it than any other country. ''

"'We estimated at CSIS that we were losing $1 billion a month, $12 billion a year, due to industrial espionage,' he [former CSIS agent] said. "

There is no real reason for panic here: as the CSIS agent implies, these spies are interested in industrial espionage--learning business secrets--and preventing groups here from organizing in opposition to the present Chinese government. They are not interested, say, in invading Canada, or subverting its system of government.

It is just that they do it by spying rather than follow the more conventional channels. It's the way things work in the PRC.

With over a thousand on the ground, though, we should have some concerns about the civil rights of our Chinese-born citizens, and the possibility that Canada's policies towards China might be unduly influenced.