A Quebec court judge is expected to rule this morning on whether to redact parts of the evidence in the closely watched economic espionage case involving a former Hydro-Québec employee.
The decision will determine if details of the prosecution and defence arguments can be made public when the trial of Yuesheng Wang begins later this month. Hydro-Québec has asked the court to shield certain documents, arguing that their disclosure could reveal commercial or technical secrets tied to its research and energy projects.
Wang, 38, was arrested in 2022 and is the first person in Canada charged with economic espionage under the Security of Information Act. The former researcher, who worked at Hydro-Québec’s energy storage and battery materials division, faces allegations that he obtained or attempted to obtain trade secrets for the benefit of the People’s Republic of China.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include fraudulent use of a computer, breach of trust, and fraudulently obtaining trade secrets. In 2024, prosecutors added two further counts: committing preparatory acts on behalf of a foreign entity and informing that entity of his intentions.
Hydro-Québec said internal security systems first detected irregularities, prompting an internal probe and immediate termination of Wang’s access. The RCMP later alleged that the employee used his position to conduct research of strategic value to foreign interests.
The upcoming ruling on the utility’s motion could set an important precedent for how Canadian courts handle corporate confidentiality and national security in espionage cases. Arguments on the motion are themselves under a publication ban.
The trial, to be heard by Judge Jean-Philippe Marcoux, is expected to last about four weeks. If convicted, Wang would face penalties under both the Security of Information Act and the Criminal Code.
The Hydro-Québec case comes amid rising concern over foreign interference and intellectual property theft in Canada’s high-tech and energy sectors. For prosecutors and defence lawyers alike, the first challenge will be balancing transparency, trade secrecy, and national security as the proceedings begin.
