A retired RCMP officer has been arrested and charged with foreign interference. The man is accused of providing intelligence to China, according to the federal police service.

William Majcher, 60, from Hong Kong, has allegedly “used his knowledge and his extensive network of contacts in Canada to obtain intelligence or services to benefit the People’s Republic of China,” the RCMP said in a press release on July 21.

“It is alleged that he contributed to the Chinese government’s efforts to identify and intimidate an individual outside the scope of Canadian law,” the press release said.

Mr. Majcher appeared at the Longueuil courthouse in Quebec by videoconference on July 21. He is charged with two counts under the Security of Information Act, including preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity and conspiracy.

Mr. Majcher’s arrest comes after the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team launched an investigation in the fall of 2021 regarding his “suspicious activities,” the press release said.

The RCMP noted that foreign interference, which entails covert and unofficial operations in Canada by persons mandated by a foreign state, is likely to undermine Canada’s democratic and judicial processes and threaten Canada’s sovereignty.

The RCMP said and its partners are working with vulnerable sectors to improve Canada’s response and resiliency to this threat.

more details to come